Judge refuses to throw out case of verbal abuse against President

A judge has refused to throw out the case of two men and a woman, accused of engaging in threatening and abusive language, allegedly directed at President Michael D Higgins.

Dublin District Court has heard arguments from the defence that the allegation was vague. However, after written submissions from the State, Judge Bryan Smyth said there was no factual vagueness in the wording of the charge.

The abuse was allegedly directed at President Higgins during a protest at Cappagh Road, in Finglas, in Dublin, on January 23 last year.