Courts / Ireland / Report
Declan Ganley entitled to half his legal costs in pandemic restrictions action
Summary
In a High Court decision on 21 January 2022, Mr Declan Ganley was awarded half of his legal costs for his challenge to the Covid‑19 restrictions that banned attendance at religious services. Judge Charles Meenan ruled that Ganley had raised matters of general public importance, notably the balance between the right to worship and public health. While the court did not decide the merits of the case, it held that the State must "readily explain" and "readily justify" any regulations that restrict public worship. The judge therefore ordered the Minister for Health to pay 50 % of Ganley's six‑figure legal costs. Ganley's action had previously been dismissed as moot after the Level 5 restrictions expired on 1 December 2020, but the cost ruling was made separately.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Declan Ganley entitled to half his legal costs in pandemic restrictions action. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- December 1, 2020 Other
- 2022-01-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Places mentioned
- The High Court
Topics
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