An attempt by Mr Gerry Hutch to defer next week's hearing of an application for judgment for £1.9 million against him failed at the Supreme Court yesterday.
The High Court has set Tuesday for the hearing of proceedings taken by the Criminal Assets Bureau against Mr Hutch, of The Paddocks, Haddon Park, Clontarf, Dublin. The CAB is seeking judgment against him on the basis of a tax assessment and interest.
Earlier this week, Mr Justice Kelly rejected an application for legal aid on behalf of Mr Hutch. Mr Hutch claimed he required State-funded legal aid to pay a legal team to represent him at the proceedings taken by the CAB.
The judge also rejected a further application to bring outside normal time limits a motion seeking a stay on any order which may be made at next Tuesday's hearing.
In the Supreme Court yesterday, Dr Michael Forde SC, for Mr Hutch, said his application was to "unfix" Tuesday's trial date. Counsel said the State was refusing to furnish Mr Hutch with the means to finance his defence. His client had not been given legal aid.
Counsel said the CAB could not be seriously prejudiced if the trial date was altered. He wanted leave to make an application today to have the trial put back.
The Chief Justice, Mr Justice Hamilton, said notice of the application would have to be served on the CAB.
Dr Forde said the trial might be over if there was not an early hearing of the Supreme Court application.
The Chief Justice said it was a matter for the trial judge to decide what course he would take.