The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is examining claims that two journalists were subject to unlawful covert intelligence by the police.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) examines complaints related to surveillance by state bodies.

The tribunal was established to investigate bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment within the Defence Forces.

Northern Ireland-based filmmakers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney have brought a case to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal

Ms Justice Ann Power formally opened the inquiry on Monday

Tánaiste Micheál Martin signed a statutory instrument to establish the tribunal on Thursday

An Investigatory Powers Tribunal heard claims the PSNI undertook six-monthly trawls of the phone data of ‘troublemaker’ journalists.

The Policing Board leadership said Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has been told the claims were causing damage to policing.

Two human rights organisations have made a fresh call for a Policing Board investigation into the claims.

An Investigatory Powers Tribunal heard claims PSNI undertook six-monthly trawls of the phone data of ‘troublemaker’ journalists

The NUJ and Amnesty International are among those to condemn the conduct of the PSNI outlined at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

The claims were made at a hearing of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal in London