Pobal Brings Case to Challenge 1737 Ban on the Use of Irish in the Courts

The BBC today reports that Irish language activist group Pobal will also challenge the 1737 ban on the use of Irish in the courts. Pictured at left is solicitor Michael Flanagan making his presentation at NYU last October.

From BBC Northern Ireland:

Irish language activists are to challenge the ban on the use of Irish in the courts in Northern Ireland.

They are taking a case to the High Court on Monday in an effort to repeal the 1737 Administration of Justice Act.

Pobal, the umbrella group for Irish speakers, said the case is a litmus test for the Hillsborough Agreement.

Chief Executive Janet Muller said that the continued use of the “outdated law” is a key issue in light of an agreement over policing and justice.

“There is no excuse for keeping this discriminatory blanket ban and the decision of the court will give a clear indication of what priority equality for Irish speakers has within the current political climate,” Ms Muller said.

“Pobal has raised the issue of the 1737 Act with the Council of Europe, following meetings between the organisation and the committee overseeing the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

“The committee has been highly critical in the past about the 1737 Act and we expect that they will make further comments in their next report, due out in April,” Ms Muller added.

Last year, native Irish speaker and musician, Caoimhín Mac Giolla Cathain, lost a Judicial Review of the 1737 Act. His legal team appealed the decision.

The new case to repeal the 1737 Act will be heard on Monday at the High Court.