February 15, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN – A threat hangs over the holding of Friday’s peace referendum in the Republic following a legal challenge in the High Court Tuesday.
Denis Riordan from Redgate, Co. Limerick, submitted to the court that the procedures that the Irish government intends to use to amend Articles Two and Three are unconstitutional.
Mr. Justice Peter Kelly has granted Mr. Riordan leave to challenge the Government and the judicial review is to be heard Wednesday.
The judge will also consider whether to grant an injunction preventing Friday’s referendum going ahead in the Republic.
Voters in the north and south of Ireland are due to go to the polls on Friday in simultaneous referenda to approve the Good Friday peace agreement negotiated in Belfast.
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In the Republic, however, voters will also be asked to amend Articles Two and Three of the country’s 1937 Constitution.
The amendments will mean that the Republic will no longer claim jurisdiction over Northern Ireland. It will drop the territorial claim and the country will be defined by its people.