A teacher facing a disorderly behaviour charge wants the case heard in Irish, a court was told today.
A solicitor for Maire Nic Na Bhaird told Belfast Magistrates' Court it was a fundamental right for his client to have her case heard in her native language.
The 24-year-old drama teacher at Coláiste Feirste, west Belfast, denies committing the offence in May 2006 in Belfast's Malone Road.
Her defence solicitor, Michael Crawford, said: "It boils down to the status of the Irish language and a person who is a native Irish speaker is entitled to this (status)," he said.
"Irish is her first language, Irish is her natural instinct."
He added that the Belfast Agreement and the Criminal Justice Review had both recognised the importance of Irish and asked for court documents to be reproduced in the medium.
Magistrate Fiona Baganell adjourned the case until she had received written submissions from the defendant's solicitor and the Public Prosecution Service.
Ms Na Bhaird, from Woodside Walk, Dunmurry, did not speak during the short hearing.
Dozens of supporters, including Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún, were in court for the hearing.
Speaking before the case, Ms de Brún said: "Now that this case has come to court, what is important is that the case should be heard through the medium of Irish.
"She is an Irish speaker and people are here this morning to ensure that the Court Service provides the necessary arrangements so that the case can be heard in Irish."
Ms de Brún is a former teacher of the defendant. The magistrate adjourned the hearing until September 6th.