Representatives of the registrars of the High Court and of the clerks of other courts have been in communication with The Irish Times concerning an editorial published in our editions of February 19th. The editorial stated, inter alia, that erroneous documentation or inaccurate information transmitted to reporters by officers of the courts often led to inaccuracies in published accounts of proceedings.

The Irish Times wishes to clarify this reference. In referring to officers of the courts, the leader writer did not necessarily or primarily have in mind court clerks or registrars. Reporters in this jurisdiction do not have access as of right to charge sheets and many other court documents and are dependent on the good will and co operation of court officers to supply accurate details. These details may be supplied variously by solicitors or barristers, gardai on duty in the courts, clerks and registrars and on certain occasions by judges.

In a very small proportion of reported cases errors do occur. And these, on occasion, can be sourced to persons in these categories. Details on charge sheets do not always concur with those presented in evidence, for example. Other errors occur because reporters have to rely on a verbal account of information which is in writing but to which they do not have access.

The Irish Times recognises the valuable assistance and co-operation which reporters receive in court from these various officers and acknowledges, furthermore, that the giving of such assistance comprises no part of their required official duties. The thrust of the editorial's criticism was aimed towards the inadequacies of the system and any personal offence or slight was unintended. {CORRECTION} 97022400053