SF: Delay in holding by-election ‘inordinate’

THE Government has denied that there has been an unreasonable delay in holding a by-election in Donegal South West, the High Court heard yesterday.

And it has reiterated a statement made last month by Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach and its chief whip, John Curran, that it intends moving the writ for the by-election in the first quarter of next year.

The claims came on the opening day yesterday of Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty’s challenge over the refusal by the Government to move the writ for the by-election caused by the election of Pat the Cope Gallagher to the European parliament in June last year.