Government to pay Doherty costs for byelection delay challenge

The Government has consented to an order to pay the costs of Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty in opposing the Government’s appeal …

The Government has consented to an order to pay the costs of Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty in opposing the Government’s appeal against his successful legal challenge to the delay in moving the writ for the Donegal South West byelection last year, in which he was elected.

The Government had recently told the Supreme Court it was not proceeding with its appeal to that court against the High Court finding of “inordinate delay” by it in moving the writ for the byelection. The matter came before the Supreme Court yesterday to address the issue of costs of the appeal. Mr Doherty was previously awarded his costs in the High Court.