Ms. Edel Cox appealed a decision of the Press Ombudsman not to uphold a complaint that an article published by The Irish Times breached Principle 1, 2, 4 and 8 of the Press Council’s Code of Practice.
Ms. Cox submitted her appeal on the grounds that the procedures followed in making the decision were not in accordance with the published procedures for considering complaints.
At its meeting on 18th February 2026, the Press Council considered the appeal on the grounds relied upon and on the information, documentation and submissions provided to the appeal.
The appellant states that the basis of the appeal is that the procedures followed in making the decision were not in accordance with the published procedures for considering complaints. However, the substance of the appeal relates entirely to the Press Ombudsman’s application of Principles 1, 2 and 8 of the Code of Practice and the Press Council made its decision accordingly.
The Press Council decided that the appeal did not demonstrate that the Ombudsman’s decision in regard to any of these Principles failed to apply the Code correctly. The Press Council noted that the Ombudsman’s detailed reasoning is clearly set out in her decision.