Ryanair has launched a High Court action aimed at setting aside what it claims are unconstitutional international travel restrictions announced by the Government earlier this month.

The airline will argue that that the government has introduced what are effectively “mandatory” regulations “under the cloak of advices”.

Ryanair claims that the ‘restrictions’, arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, are unlawful, amount to a disproportionate interference of individual’s rights and are detrimental to its business.

In its action, Ryanair is challenging measures, announced on July 21st last, including that persons not travel outside the Island of Ireland, save for essential purposes, and that everyone ….read more

The High Court has ruled that a food services company must continue the contract of employment of a director who made protected disclosures about alleged wrongdoings until their dispute has been determined by the Workplace Relations Commission.

The protected disclosures were made by CGI Food Services and CGI Holdings Ltd’s group financial controller John Clarke, who was dismissed from his role in May 2019.

Mr Clarke claims he was dismissed following his suspension because he made a protected disclosure about food safety and financial irregularities.

He claimed there were serious shortcomings regarding the storage and freezing of customer food products.

Products were not frozen ….read more

A High Court judge has said he is minded to approve a survival scheme allowing regional airline CityJet to successfully exit examinership.

The approved scheme will allow the Dublin-based airline continue as a going concern, on what was described on “a slimmed down” basis, with over 140 jobs at the company being retained.

The scheme, which was supported by a majority of the airline’s creditors and shareholders, also sees tens of millions of euro of its debt being written off.

Last April the airline sought the protection of the courts, claiming it was insolvent because of financial difficulties which were exacerbated ….read more

A Garda who is also a member of two gun clubs has brought a High Court challenge against the Revenue Commissioners’ refusal to allow him import what he claims are firearms accessories into the State.

The challenge has been brought by Garda Michael Rochford, stationed in the Dundalk District, who has been involved in field sports for many years and is a committee member of two gun clubs.

He is the lawful holder of several firearms, including .243 calibre Savage Axis II rifle. He claims the rifle comes with a stock that is prone to damage and scrapes due to it being ….read more

A man accused of indecently assaulting a young girl during the 1980s has brought a High Court challenge aim at preventing his prosecution.

The man, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged offences, claims he should not be tried on grounds including that the matter was dealt with by the authorities in the mid 1980s.

The court heard that the complainant, who was just under four years of age when the indecent assaults are alleged to have occurred, made a statement to the Gardai in 2016.

She claims the assaults occurred at the accused man’s home when she was being ….read more

A secondary school teacher has brought a High Court challenge against the Teaching Council’s refusal to recognise her as a qualified post primary teacher.

The action has been brought by Ms Fiona Roche, from Thomastown, Caragh, Naas, Co Kildare who has taught at several post primary and primary schools since 2002 and has been registered with the council since 2006.

She is currently working at Colasite Iosagain Post Primary in Portarlington, Co Laois. She teaches religion and CSPE, as well as providing guidance hours and vocational preparation to students. Ms Roche also gives the ‘Minding Me’ wellbeing module classes to pupils.

In 2018, ….read more

The Revenue Commissioners will not oppose an application to the High Court to approve a survival scheme for the regional airline CityJet.

During a brief hearing before the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Michael Quinn heard that Revenue has obtained clarification from the airline’s court-appointed examiner on what it regards as important issues.

The examiner, Mr Kieran Wallace of KPMG, is recommending the approval of the scheme, which has the support of the majority of the airline’s creditors.

The hearing of the application to have the scheme formally approved by the High Court is fixed for later this week.

If the scheme ….read more

(Pictured: Liam Campbell. Credit: Collins)

Liam Campbell, who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bombing, has been given a date next January to appeal an extradition order surrendering him to Lithuania, where he is to answer charges of international weapons trafficking.

Campbell (58) was arrested in Upper Faughart, Dundalk, Co Louth, on December 2, 2016, on foot of the second European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Lithuanian authorities to be endorsed by the High Court here. It was the third attempt overall by Lithuania to seek Campbell’s surrender.

The 1998 Omagh bombing was the single deadliest incident in the Troubles, resulting in ….read more

The mother of a 14-year-old boy with special needs has challenged a decision by the Minister for Social Protection that she is not entitled to a domiciliary care allowance.

The applicant cannot be identified for legal reasons and her son, the court heard, has a recognised disability that affects his development.

He has very limited motor skills and cannot complete the most basic of tasks. The court heard that he cannot butter a slice of bread nor ride a bicycle.

The allowance is a monthly payment of just over €300 for a child aged under 16 years with a severe disability who requires ….read more

A student teacher has brought High Court proceedings against Maynooth University over not being allowed graduate as she was unable to complete her teaching practice after the Covid-19 pandemic forced schools to close.

The action has been brought by Ekaette Kwuogor, from Cappagh Road, Finglas Dublin 11, who had been studying for a Higher Diploma in Further Education at the university’s Department of Adult and Community Education.

The court heard that in she was accepted into the programme for the 2019-20 academic year and last January she commenced the teacher training part of her course.

The court heard that the naturalised Irish citizen ….read more