From top: Four Courts in Dublin; John Waters; Gemma O’Doherty
Last night.
It was reported that Gemma O’Doherty and John Waters, representing themselves, went before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey in the High Court yesterday to challenge laws brought in by the State amid the pandemic.
In judicial review proceedings against the State and the Minister for Health they want recently enacted legislation to be declared null and void.
Aodhan O’Faolain, in The Irish Examiner, reported:
Mr Waters told the court that the legislation was “unconstitutional“, “improperly enacted,” and “very flawed“.
He said the challenge was brought on grounds including that the laws were brought in by a caretaker Government, by a Dail where the number of TD’s present in the chamber when the vote took places was limited.
He said he was further concerned that the legislation was enacted by the outgoing rather than the incoming Senate, which he says it should have been.”
…The judge, who said that the court was only concerned about the legality of the legislation challenged and not about any policy taken by government, directed that the journalists’ application for permission to bring the challenge be made on notice to the State respondents.
The judge adjourned the matter for a week, when it is to be mentioned before the court.
Gemma O’Doherty and John Waters bring court challenge to Covid-19 restrictions (The Irish Examiner)
Covid-19 restrictions challenged in High Court (RTÉ)
Journalists tell High Court coronavirus laws ‘unconstitutional’ (The Irish Times)
Previously: Locking Down Our Civil Liberties