Fine Gael Senator Paudie Coffey believes the loss of his Dáil seat in 2016 by 300 votes was due to a newspaper article about county boundary changes which likened him to an 18th century robber, the High Court has heard.

High Court proceedings against Siptu, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions officials and employees of a cargo handling company involved in a strike at Dublin port over the alleged harassment and intimidation of staff who are continuing to work have been adjourned.