Father of serial killer Palani gets permission to challenge decision to cut off benefits

The High Court has granted permission to a Sligo man to challenge the State's decision to cease his social welfare benefits. Juma Palani sought leave to judicially review determinations made earlier this year that disallowed his claims for jobseeker's and disability allowance, and which required repayment of monies previously paid. The Criminal Assets Bureau formed the view that there were reasonable grounds to infer Mr Palani engaged in criminal activity. He contests this assertion, contending no evidence has been produced to support it. Mr Palani is also seeking declarations that the State erred in law and breached his constitutional and human rights procedural protections. Justice Mary Rose Gearty approved the application for review and adjourned proceedings to January.