'Gangster' injunction overturned

Desmond Noonan had convictions for serious criminal offences

A documentary featuring gangland leader Desmond Noonan was allowed to be aired on channel Five following a court appeal late on Tuesday.

Mr Noonan, 45, was found stabbed to death in Merseybank Avenue, Chorlton, south Manchester, on Friday.

Police in Manchester were granted an injunction to stop the MacIntyre Underworld programme from being aired saying it could prejudice the inquiry.

But the High Court later upheld an appeal by the television station.

Officers are still questioning a man on suspicion of Mr Noonan's murder.

The injunction application was heard on Tuesday afternoon at a court in Preston.

Stabbed to death

A GMP statement said it was concerned about "potential prejudicial comments made" in the programme.

"The catalyst for this move was the murder of Desmond Noonan and it is concerned entirely with protecting the integrity of the investigation and the criminal justice system."

Police say the 45-year-old - who was known as Dessie - had convictions for serious criminal offences.

A post-mortem examination was conducted over the weekend and the cause of death established as a knife wound to the abdomen.

The programmed was to be aired at 2255 GMT on Tuesday.