AN undertaking was given on behalf of three newspapers in the High Court yesterday that, they would not publish any material calculated to prejudice a jury in the hearing of libel proceedings by the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, against Independent Newspapers Ltd.
Mr Kevin Feeney SC, for the newspaper group, told Mr Justice Barron he was in a position to consent to an injunction in those terms on behalf of the Sunday Independent, Irish Independent and Evening Herald.
Mr Brian O'Moore, counsel for Mr De Rossa, said he was prepared to accept the consent.
On November 29th last, a conditional order for the sequestration of the assets of Independent Newspapers was made following complaints by Mr De Rossa.
He complained about articles in the Sunday Independent on November 24th last, following the discharge in the High Court of a jury after an eight day hearing of his libel action against that newspaper.
The injunction to which there was consent yesterday also restrains the newspapers from publishing any matter constituting a wrongful interference with Mr De Rossa's constitutional rights in the conduct of his claim and discussing the probable evidence of any party or parties to the proceedings.
The sequestration aspect of the case was yesterday adjourned to the next court list to fix dates.