Attempt may be made to jail Coveney for contempt of court, High Court told

A bid may be made soon to jail Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney for contempt of court, the High Court was told.

Mr Justice John Hedigan was told papers had already been prepared to facilitate an application for the minister to be brought to court for attachment and committal to prison.

Patrick O’Reilly, counsel for two Department of Agriculture employees who allege they were double-crossed in an appointments agreement, told the court he had prepared a motion for attachment and committal of Mr Coveney. He told Mr Justice Hedigan he firstly wanted to consider a letter from the department and to obtain more information about positions that had been filled by someone else.