The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions against a High Court decision preventing the prosecution of Maze prison escaper Brendan “Bik” McFarlane on charges connected with the 1983 kidnap of supermarket executive Don Tidey.

A CHALLENGE by 173 mature students to the axing, during the summer holidays, of a social welfare payment aimed at helping them pursue third-level education yesterday came before the High Court.