Courts / Ireland / Report

State's failure to have border poll policy breaches Good Friday Agreement, campaigner says

Summary

Raymond McCord, a Newtownabbey campaigner, launched a High Court challenge against the Irish State regarding its alleged failure to disclose policies on calling a border poll in Northern Ireland. Counsel Ronan Lavery QC, appearing with solicitors Paul Farrell and Ciaran O'Hare, argued before Mr Justice Seamus Noonan that the State's lack of clarity breaches the Good Friday Agreement. The applicant seeks declarations that the State's failure to publish criteria for a border poll is unlawful and that a simple majority in Northern Ireland is sufficient for unification. Alternatively, he seeks a declaration that the State must hold a corresponding poll in the Republic if a majority in the North votes for unity. The action was brought against An Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Government of Ireland, the Attorney General, and Ireland. Mr Justice Noonan granted permission to bring the action on an ex-parte basis. The matter was adjourned, with the action set to be returnable in February.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: State's failure to have border poll policy breaches Good Friday Agreement, campaigner says. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2017-12-11 Publication

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report