RTÉ AND THE Courts Service of Ireland have joined together to allow television cameras into the Supreme Court, in what will be the first ever recording or transmitting of court proceedings in the history of the State.
Television cameras will be let in to allow the filming of two judgements to be handed down in the Supreme Court tomorrow.
RTÉ will broadcast proceedings using small robotic cameras that feed images to a satellite van outside at the location.
The broadcaster’s managing director of news and current affairs, Jon Williams, said it is “vital that justice is not just done, but is seen to be done”.
After what was described as a “lengthy discussion process”, it is hoped this pilot project will allow both organisations to trial it out with a view to developing it further in the future.
The first judgement to be broadcast relates to an Irish man who is challenging his extradition to the US to face charges related to mortgage fraud while the second involves a man who sought compensation under the residential institutions redress act for harm he had suffered as a very young child.
Chief Justice of Ireland, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, said: “We are taking the step of televising the judgments of the Supreme Court, as a way of demystifying the courts process. We wish to allow people see how their highest court operates. This will help explain and create an understanding of the courts.
This is a start ,and following a test period, we will review the success of same with a view to expanding coverage in the new year. This might include televising the parties making their arguments in the Supreme Court.
The proceedings will be broadcast live on RTÉ News Now from 9.30am tomorrow, with the footage also appearing on news bulletins later in the day.
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