A High Court judge has refused to set aside an order stopping RTÉ airing details of Denis O'Brien's banking arrangements with IBRC.

RTÉ had argued that the order no longer serves any purpose, because the information is already in the public domain and should not be held as a 'sword of Damocles' over the media.

Mr O'Brien is no longer trying to stop RTÉ's story on his dealings with IBRC.

He accepts the details are already in the public domain because of comments made in the Dáil by Independent TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty.

However lawyers for the businessman objected to RTÉ's attempt to have the injunction lifted, because they say it covers all confidential information about his banking affairs - not just the story in question.

Mr Justice Donald Binchy today ruled against the national broadcaster.

He was guided by IBRC concerns that without the order, RTÉ would be in a position to refer to privileged legal advice the bank received.

So the order stands, but there will be further submissions next Wednesday about how it could be amended.