The High Court judge, Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness, has ruled that RTÉ and other media organisations can identify the pregnancy advice agency at the centre in the unlawful adoption case. She said that it was only common sense that the Aadams Women's Centre is named, but she stressed that the decision in no way condoned contempt. She added that individuals in the case should not be named. She also said that Ms. Justice Lafoy, who delivered the judgement in the babies' case, would make a public statement in court tomorrow morning.
Mr. Patrick Keane, Senior Counsel for RTÉ, had also sought leave to name the two directors of the agency, the general practitioner concerned in the case, and the name of a barrister who had given legal advice in the case. When Mr. Michael Forde, Senior Counsel for the agency, objected on the grounds that the relief sought by RTÉ was a major extension of that granted to the Irish Times, Judge Catherine McGuinness adjourned RTÉ's application until after lunch.
The court has also to deal with an allegation by the agency that the Independent had breached its undertaking to the High Court by continuing to publish the name of the agency, its two directors, and the barrister, on its internet site.
