SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams and Senator Pearse Doherty arrive for a High Court hearing at the Four Courts yesterday, write Mary Carolanand Mary Minihan.
The full hearing of a legal challenge by Mr Doherty to the Government’s refusal to move the writ for a byelection in the Donegal South West constituency may be heard on October 18th at the High Court.
The case was mentioned briefly yesterday before the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, who was told by Brian Murray SC, for the State, that Mr Doherty considered the matter urgent and the State was prepared to facilitate an October hearing.
Mr Doherty’s challenge arises out of the vacancy created by the election of Pat “the Cope” Gallagher to the European Parliament last year.
Outside the court, Mr Doherty accused the Government of “running scared” of the Donegal South West byelection.
“It is unheard of in other democracies throughout the world. This happens in dictatorships. But the reality is they’re running scared . . . in Waterford and Dublin South,” he said.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said he was not surprised the Government was resisting the attempt to force the byelection.
“I think it’s really a mark of this Government,” Mr Adams said, and accused the Government of “acting without mandate” in the three constituencies that have a vacancy for a TD.