Those of you who are not familiar with the Irish media ought to be informed of the nature this particular newspaper before making further judgements on the journalistic standards in said article.
The 'Sunday Independent' (affectionately known in Ireland as 'The Sindo') is part of Independent Newspapers Group (ING), a publishing company owned by 'Sir' Tony O'Reilly, an Irish multi millionaire businessman. More on him later.
The Sindo is a newspaper in similiar vein to the UK tabloid 'The Sun'. It is a scandal sheet masquerading as a broadsheet (in only the thinnest of disguises). It is legendary among Irish newspapers for its willingness to print any lie or innacurracy it believes will sell to the public. It's cover page normally consists of a bombastic headline juxtaposed with a picture of a scantily clad female - not a 'serious' image right from the start.
The inner pages continue in much the same vein - little actual news, but plenty of innuendo, insinuation, sensationalism, prurience and character demolition. It focuses heavily on 'celebrity' stories and is as Right Wing in its politics as Bill O'Reilly.
Just as an example of its gutter journalism, the same issue which carried the article we're discussing also printed a 'report' from a journalist who had interviewed a DRUG DEALER who informed her that his best customers for his cocaine business include 'an airline pilot'. No names, no evidence, just a despicable accusation, allegedly from a self admitted criminal.
Mr.O'Reilly - the proprietor - sets the tone for this rag. His company ING effectively controls 80% of the Irish print media, and he is not averse to using this influence to ridicule, undermine or even destroy his victim du jour. His own Right Wing agenda is well documented and reflected in the editorial direction he encourages, witness his papers history of union bashing. The sacking of journalists who don't toe the party line was well demonstrated by the departure of Justine McCarthy after she wrote an article sympathetic to workers in the Irish Ferries dispute in 2005.
In short - if you MUST read a comic like this, please don't be foolish enough to take anything written therein seriously.