Prisoner wants referendum postponed

A prisoner serving two years for tax offences has brought a case against the State in an attempt to stop the upcoming referendum from going ahead.

Mr Patrick O’Doherty claims that his constitutional rights are being infringed because he cannot vote while in prison.

Mr O’Doherty is asking the High Court to have the referendum stopped because he will have no say in the Nice Treaty, which will allow for the further expansion of the European Union.

The counsel for the State has not yet replied to the appeal.