Judge’s ceremony at Áras delayed

A ceremony where the new president of the High Court accepted his seal of office at Áras an Uachtaráin was delayed by three hours yesterday after a legal challenge to the appointment was brought in the High Court.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly was due to travel to the Phoenix Park and accept his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins at 3pm, but a late application to the High Court meant it did not go ahead until 6pm.

Businessman Jerry Beades sought an interim order prohibiting the appointment of Mr Justice Kelly to the third highest court in the land. He also sought an order stopping Mr Justice Kelly taking his seat on the bench until there has been a proper examination as to his suitability.