Supreme Court appeal against Abbeylara decision

Politicians are to begin an appeal to the Supreme Court today, following the decision of the High Court late last year to restrict the scope of Oireachtas inquiries.

The High Court upheld a challenge by 36 gardai against the Oireachtas committee inquiry into the Abbeylara killing of John Carthy.

Shortly after the November ruling, the Oireachtas inquiries cannot make findings of fact or expressions of opinion which damage the good name of citizens who are not TDs or Senators.

The ruling immediately halted the Abbeylara inquiry, along with another investigation into cost over-runs in the Mini-CTC system at CIE.

If the Supreme Court appeal fails, it is believed that a referendum will be held to ask the people if such powers of investigation should be given to the people.