The National Newspapers of Ireland AKA Newspaper Licensing Ireland

This is old, old, old news. It's an unfortunate fact that traditional print outlets are bleeding money to online sources. Traditional newspapers are finding it hard to migrate online AND maintain a positive revenue stream. Irish Times tried it a few years ago by putting up a paywall. That failed so they took it down again.

This is just their latest [failed] attempt to try increase revenue. This was never going to work. However, I am not sure what the final answer should be.

Does one not remember this kicking off, back in 2000, with BT [albeit not traditional print by any means] trying to patent the Hyperlink? That would have been scary if they succeeded.