Claims that children living in Donegal were given places at grammar schools in Derry to the exclusion of local children were challenged in the High Court in Belfast yesterday.
The Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr was told that the use of false addresses had become known in Derry as "grannying". The court case was brought by two 12-year-old girls whose offer of places at St Cecilia's College were withdrawn.
The girls applied for leave to seek a judicial review of decisions made by the board of governors, the Western Education and Library Board and the Department of Education.
Henry Toner QC, for one of the girls, drew attention to the school's admissions criteria which warned parents that incorrect information, particularly concerning the normal place of residence, could result in the withdrawal of a place.
He said it appeared that no checks had been made on the legitimacy of addresses and added: "My solicitor has done so and indicates that some of those granted places at St Cecilia's live in Donegal."
The governors' lawyer, John Larkin QC, who revealed the term "grannying", said they had not been given sufficient material about a claim that some children lived in the heart of Donegal.
The Lord Chief Justice said he was disposed to grant leave for the application to proceed but postponed making a formal ruling until tomorrow.