A PHOTOGRAPHER SAYS that an image he took of a bridge in Co Cork that appeared on the cover of the Cloyne report into clerical sex abuse was used without his permission.

John Finn, who describes himself as a “non-professional photographer” based in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, writes on his blog that the image of Belvelly Bridge is his and provides a link to the Flickr page where he posted the image four years ago.

The image appeared on the front of the Murphy Commission report into allegations of clerical sex abuse in the Cork diocese of Cloyne which was published yesterday.

It is understood the Department of Justice is looking into the matter.

The image has since been removed from the report as it now appears on the department website:

The photo posted on Finn’s Flickr page is listed under an ‘All Rights Reserved’ licence meaning that the photographer’s permission must be sought if the image is to be used elsewhere.

Finn says it was not and writes on his blog:

I would have thought that the Dept of Justice, of all people, would have complied with copyright and not go lifting photos from Flickr without the photographer’s permission.

Finn could not be reached for comment at the time of publication but wrote on Flickr that he had received a response from the Department which said “the matter is currently being dealt with”.