In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Ireland has, for the first time, set out the legal test governing access to Digital Audio Recordings (DARs) of court proceedings. This decision marks a significant development in the interpretation of public access to judicial processes in Ireland.
The Court held that access to DARs is not an automatic entitlement arising from the constitutional requirement that justice be administered in public. Instead, the Court clarified that access must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, applying a structured legal test that balances transparency with the integrity of judicial proceedings.
This ruling underscores the Court’s position that while public administration of justice is a constitutional imperative, it does not extend unconditionally to the release of audio recordings. The judgment provides much-needed clarity for legal practitioners, journalists, and members of the public seeking access to court audio, and sets a precedent for future applications.
Legal experts anticipate that this decision will influence how courts manage requests for DARs and may prompt updates to court service protocols and data access policies.
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