Judicial review granted in Achill Rovers referee case

Judicial review granted in Achill Rovers referee case


The decision by a Circuit Court judge to award an Achill man €38,500 in damages will face a judicial review in the High Court next week.
The damages were awarded to Stephen Manning of Dooagh, Achill in February after he successfully sued Achill Rovers Chairman, George Collins of Dooagh, Achill, the club secretary, Philip McNulty of Bunnacurry, Achill and seven co-defendants for libel following a letter they wrote on June 11, 2009.
The letter claimed that Mr Manning had who was refereeing an under-12 match, stood at the dressing room door looking at girls when they were undressing.
Judge James O’Donohoe awarded Mr Manning damages of €38,500 but on March 14, the defendants were granted leave to seek a judicial review in the High Court regarding Judge O’Donohoe’s judgement.
The defendants claimed that he exceeded his jurisdiction to award Mr Manning €38,500 when the maximum he can award is €38,100. The judicial review will be heard in the High Court next Tuesday, April 5.