A Dublin businesswoman who claims she was brainwashed while a member of the Church of Scientology in Dublin has asked the High Court to direct the production of documents over which the Dublin Mission of the church is claiming "sacerdotal privilege".
Ms Mary Johnston (33), who owns a sports equipment shop in Foxrock, Co Dublin, is seeking an order for the production of documents against the church and three of its members, John Keane, Tom Cunningham and Gerard Ryan.
She is taking an action for damages against its Dublin Mission in which she alleges the respondents conspired to wrongfully extract monies from her and she wants an order for the return of £1,600.
Yesterday her counsel, Mr John Hennessy, asked Mr Justice Geoghegan for an order for the production of documents. He also sought an order directing the defendants to list every document for which they are claiming legal and professional privilege.
Mr Justice Geoghegan said that by using the term sacerdotal privilege, he understood the respondents to be referring to a confidentiality of the priest/confessor type.
The hearing continues today.