Courts / Limerick / Report

Animated scenes in court over fixing of date for Covid vaccine hearing

Date
2022-12-16

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

In the Four Courts on 16 December 2022, a pre‑trial hearing concerning the administration of Covid‑19 vaccines to children aged five to eleven was scheduled for late January, following an application by Sharon Browne and David Egan. The plaintiffs sought a protective costs order and an injunction preventing the HSE and the State from distributing vaccines or boosters to children until "full information" on alleged risks was provided. Mr Justice Conor Dignam noted that the earliest date the court could offer was late January, citing court pressures, judge availability and the Christmas holidays. The plaintiffs argued that the vaccines breach the constitutional right to bodily integrity, citing a mother's death in 2021 and medical evidence gathered by Mr Egan. The State and HSE, represented by David Leahy SC, denied all adverse claims. The hearing was attended by members of An Garda Siochana, and the court restored order after a disturbance in the gallery.