Joe O'Toole (Independent)

On a number of recent occasions, the House has debated the importance of a press council. Over the weekend and last week we saw extraordinary levels of coverage of the terrible killing of a young man outside Club Anabel. We saw how many lives were ruined by it and people will be paying the price for a long time. Views were expressed that there would have been less press coverage if those involved came from an underprivileged area.

I would like the Leader to offer a view on one aspect of the matter. A young woman happened to have a date with some of the guys on both sides and her life has been torn to pieces. She has been made to look like a tramp, she has been diminished and her reputation has been impugned. I do not know anything about the woman, I have never met her and I know nothing about her family, but the way in which she has been treated by the media is absolutely unacceptable.