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Women accused of publishing images of teen murderers takes High Court action
Summary
Edel Doherty, of Rory O'Connor House, Hardwick Street, Dublin 1, has brought a High Court judicial review challenging a District Court decision regarding her prosecution. Ms Doherty is one of ten individuals accused under the 2001 Children's Act of publishing images identifying two teenagers convicted of murder. The alleged breach involves a hybrid offence, prosecutable in either the District Court or Circuit Court. In October, a Dublin District Court judge accepted jurisdiction and directed the DPP to disclose evidence, adjourning the matter to January. Ms Doherty claims that when the case returned, a different judge reheard the facts, determined the offences were not minor and unfit for summary trial, and adjourned the matter for the service of the book of evidence. She argues this decision was procedurally flawed, made without proper reasons, and in breach of fair procedures. Represented by Kathleen Leader SC, instructed by David Thompson, Ms Doherty seeks orders quashing the decision that her offences were not minor and declarations that the District Court acted in excess of jurisdiction. The matter was heard by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, who granted ex-parte permission to bring the challenge. Noting that several similar actions are pending or imminent, the judge indicated it would be preferable for all cases to be heard together. The actions are scheduled to be mentioned before the court later this month.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Women accused of publishing images of teen murderers takes High Court action. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- 2021-03-01 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: Her case was before Dublin District Court last October where it is claimed the judge dealing with the matter accepted jurisdiction, directed the DPP to disclose evidence to the accused's solicitor and adjourned the matter to a date in January.
Applicant
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Dublin
- Dublin District Court
- Rory O'Connor House
- Hardwick Street
- Dublin
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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