The editor of the Irish Daily Star has been suspended pending a full investigation after the newspaper printed topless photos of Kate Middleton.
Veteran journalist Michael O'Kane was suspended on Monday after the Irish tabloid newspaper re-published the controversial images which first appeared in a French magazine this past weekend.
The Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said he intends to revisit privacy laws but his comments caused a rift in the Irish cabinet with Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte stating
"Notwithstanding the lamentable lapse of judgment and taste by the 'Irish Daily Star', I would have to be persuaded that resort to legislation on privacy is warranted," he said.
In a statement issued by Independent Star Limited, the company said an investigation has been launched into the circumstances that led to the Irish Daily Star re-publishing pages from the French magazine 'Closer.'
The board of The Irish Star is to meet on Tuesday to discuss the crisis which could cost up to 100 jobs.
The intimate photos of the Royal couple first appeared in the French magazine Closer last week. The couple have already begun a civil action against the photographer.
The British co-publisher of The Irish Star stated he wanted the tabloid closed. Richard Desmond, who made his own fortune from pornogrpahy, claimed the pictures were in poor taste and could not be defended.
A palace spokeswoman said: "The complaint concerns the taking of photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge whilst on holiday and the publication of those photographs in breach of their privacy."
A French court granted the Royal family an injunction preventing the photographs being published.
In the wake of the controversy, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said he will revisit Ireland’s Privacy Bill. Shatter condemned the Star’s publication of the images in a statement.
"Some sections of the print media are either unable or unwilling in their reportage to distinguish between ‘prurient interest’ and ‘the public interest’.
"This detrimentally impacts upon the lives of both public personalities and private individuals and it seems that no value of any nature is attached to an individual's right to privacy, a right recognised by the Constitution and by the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
"It is perceived financial gain as opposed to any principled freedom of expression that for some is the dominant value.
"The publication by the Irish Daily Star in Ireland of topless photographs of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is a clear illustration of this.
"It is clear that sections of the print media believe that public figures are fair game and have no right to privacy in respect of any aspect of their lives.
"It is my intention to revisit the provisions of the Privacy Bill 2006 which was reinstated to the Seanad Order paper following the formation of the Government, to consider what changes should be made to it in the context of developments that have taken place since its first publication and to then progress its enactment.
"What is needed is balanced legislation that does nothing to inhibit proper investigative journalism, the reporting of news and the expression of opinion on issues of genuine public interest in a manner that respects the ethos and values of a constitutional democracy but which also prevents the abuse of an individual's human rights and flagrant violation of an individual's right to privacy."
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.merefalow | Sep 21, 2012, 08:54 PM EDT
censorship is the enemy of freedom and democracy,shame on the repressive star ownership,boycott the rag, until the editor is reinstated, people should be more aware of the massive threat to press freedom that is under way as we speak.ie the levenson inquisition in london.the press is facing its most serious threat ever,.by the great and the powerfull.
McNamara31 | Sep 20, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
Bocktherobber, seamus60,Beedee... With the way the press hounded Di and Fergie, both Will and Kate know they live in a media fish bowl. Social media and YouTube was not around back then which makes their present day actions simply stupid.
Beedee | Sep 20, 2012, 10:36 AM EDT
IrelandNorth......what on earth are you dribbling about?
Beedee | Sep 20, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT
McNamara31........ She was thinking she was having some private time with her husband, enjoying the sun, relaxing between engagements. But a 'peeper' ruined it by trying to turn it into another "Royal Scandal"!! Do you have a husband/wife? have you ever been topless together without the possibility of some AH taking pictures of you, then publishing them?
seamus60 | Sep 20, 2012, 06:54 AM EDT
Maybe she was just thinking "to hell with it my boobs need a tan" and its 2012 not 1950.
Bocktherobber | Sep 19, 2012, 05:05 PM EDT
She was thinking, "I'm a mile away from any public road. What sort of grubby little man would climb a tree with a telephoto lens at that distance?"
McNamara31 | Sep 19, 2012, 01:36 PM EDT
What was she thinking?
IrelandNorth | Sep 19, 2012, 06:09 AM EDT
Double standards by press barons who objectify English working class girls, and hue-and-cry about the paparazzi long range telephoto lensing of aristocrats in the south of France. Qualitative differences? Yet privacy laws should be as stringent in constitutional democracies like Ireland as in constitutional monarchies like England.
IrelandNorth | Sep 19, 2012, 05:52 AM EDT
Oooops! So much for press freedom. Just had an insightful comment phished (by the censor?) again.
bogsidebunny | Sep 18, 2012, 10:38 PM EDT
I really don't know what the fuss is all about. Check out any photo of Kate (clothed) and you can plainly see she's as flat as a plank!
SeamusMor | Sep 18, 2012, 09:57 PM EDT
Storm? I say it nothing more that a tempest in a B cup!
borefield | Sep 18, 2012, 09:23 PM EDT
Aloistmartin, my contribution---Michelle Obama, Janet Nepolitano, Nancy Pelosi, to name a few. I wonder what photographer would climb up a tree to get a shot of those females.
Arthur Cola | Sep 18, 2012, 09:04 PM EDT
The publishing of the photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing in the privacy of their vacation residence has nothing whatsoever to do with Freedom of the Press. Hooray for the French court which ruled in favor of the Royal Couple. Of course it is notable that both the French magazine "Closer" and the Italian one which also did what the Daily Star did (CHI Magazine) are both owned by the disgraced former Prime Minister of Italy. Now why should Ireland stoop to such a level as invading one's privacy to sell a few papers? Or was it published to tarnish the image of the couple? Guess what? It won't work. Even my 93 year mother saw the outrage of such use of private time photos.
seanomelb | Sep 18, 2012, 06:26 PM EDT
Typical Shatter he wants to curb the freedom of the press to impress his British masters.All because someone took a photo of titless Kate.
Bocktherobber | Sep 18, 2012, 05:34 PM EDT
Climbing a tree and taking a picture of a girl sunbathing a mile away. Classy.
aloistmartin | Sep 18, 2012, 05:12 PM EDT
Lucky for us Kate Middleton wasn`t built like Kate Perry, or Lindsay Lohan, or Jennifer Love Hewitt ! ( Contributions Welcome ! )
aloistmartin | Sep 18, 2012, 05:11 PM EDT
You would think some one insulted the Book of Kells or Something ! Take plenty of Hankies with you on your trip to London Taoiseach !
aloistmartin | Sep 18, 2012, 04:58 PM EDT
Another Prince Harry in the making :):):)
pilib04 | Sep 18, 2012, 04:26 PM EDT
This family has never been able to keep their clothes on. Why should an Irish editor suffer?
cillowen | Sep 18, 2012, 04:10 PM EDT
why she'd up and about in the nude - she might have a feel a yen for nudism - this is much ado about nothing - that war by blasphemy video needs to be explored as it is more problematic.
blackbearpause | Sep 18, 2012, 02:52 PM EDT
I am glad the Throne has taken action on this. It is about time. It is not like she walked a public beach in the nude. Leave the couple alone, let them be human and newly weds.
kilkeekbt | Sep 18, 2012, 02:42 PM EDT
I agree with feliciamaisey. You've never seen pics of the queen or Princess Anne in compromising positions have you! That's because they were raised knowing that there were always people out to photograph them. This should have been part of Kate's pre-wedding education. Also, Wills certainly should have known better as he has been groomed his whole life to ascend the throne and all it entails. I think she is on the road to becoming another Diana-perhaps its the commoner in her.
feliciamaisey | Sep 18, 2012, 02:25 PM EDT
Her decision to bask naked in the external world was irresponsible, and despite her right to privacy, she wasn't being very protective of her privacy by having her chest on display was she? People should not lose jobs over this at all. Whilst in poor taste, fines should be paid and everyone move forward, lessons learned.
micky74007 | Sep 18, 2012, 02:01 PM EDT
If the royals kept their clothes on....
EphraimKibbey | Sep 18, 2012, 01:08 PM EDT
While I'm not offended by nudity, I am offended by one person's denial of the rights of another person. The publishing of someone's picture, especially nude, should ALWAYS require that person's permission. This should be true for everyone no matter how famous. These illegitimate photographers make money by selling what is essentially other people's property. The only way to stop it is with massive punitive monetary awards to those whose rights have been abridged. If the photographers and publications start losing more than they gain from this stuff, they will stop it quickly enough.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 18, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
So its the Irish Falling Star karma and the Irish taxpayer has to pay unemployment for 100 more Priceless
slainte9 | Sep 18, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT
Hasn't it occurred to anyone that Ms. Kate is setting a very bad example. Young people, especially white Europeans, need to be taught to avoid the sun in order to avoid skin trouble later in life, especially skin cancer. In this regard the Star did a public service.
slainte9 | Sep 18, 2012, 10:55 AM EDT
If you go naked outdoors, what do you think will happen.
handsome68 | Sep 18, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT
I am shocked, shocked to hear that (women have breasts). Round up the usual suspects.
dermotfastnet | Sep 18, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT
He's tasteless decision to print may have cost him his job but don't punish all the background staff by closing the newspaper down. Ireland needs the jobs and of course the taxes too.
Tooreenagrena | Sep 18, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT
So much for the 'Irish' Star being independent. Irish readers should stop buring this English comic. To think that you can see photoes of this women in the skimpiest bikini but remove a tiny peice of cloth and take a photo and you could go to jail or lose your job. This is too absurd for words.
hunter933 | Sep 18, 2012, 10:25 AM EDT
The paparazzi are the only ones enforcing morality standards in this world.
Helen Ferone | Sep 18, 2012, 10:02 AM EDT
Theres class, and no class. Leave them alone for awhile or we'll have a replay of Diana.
Rebelforce | Sep 18, 2012, 09:30 AM EDT
Who said the days of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy was over in Ireland? Let's be frank, if a British tabloid editor had published photos of Caroline Kennedy cavorting nude in France he'd probably win a prize and a promotion.