The Irish Independent appealed a decision by the Press Ombudsman to uphold a complaint that an article published by the Irish Independent breached Principle 1 of the Press Council’s Code of Practice.
The Irish Independent submitted their appeal on the grounds that;
The procedures followed in making the decision were not in accordance with the published procedures, and
That there was an error in the Press Ombudsman’s application of Principle 1 of the Code of Practice.
At its meeting on 20 May 2026, the Press Council considered the appeal on the grounds relied upon and on the information, documentation and submissions provided to the appeal.
Appeal Decision
The Press Council found that the appellant was correct in arguing that the Press Ombudsman based her decision in part on points not raised by the complainant, therefore the procedures followed in making the decision were not in accordance with the published procedures for considering complaints.
The Press Council also found that the appellant was correct in arguing that the Press Ombudsman has erred in her application of the Code by applying a materially higher standard than required in the Code to demonstrate a breach of Principle 1.
The Press Council has therefore decided to uphold the appeal.