A challenge by Joseph Murphy Structural Engineering to the Mahon tribunal's refusal of its application for some €10 million in legal costs will come before the High Court on February 22nd next.
Mr Michael Cush SC, for JMSE, yesterday formally moved the judicial review application, which he said would affect many other orders made by the tribunal. Mr Justice McKechnie said he would take it that the application had been made and that the tribunal was being put on notice. He adjourned the matter to February 22nd.
The proceedings have been brought by Mr Joseph Murphy, JMSE and an executive of JMSE, Mr Frank Reynolds, and arise from a decision of the Mahon planning tribunal on November 9th last refusing their application for legal costs arising from their involvement with the tribunal.
Tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon accused the company and executives of "unlawful and disreputable conduct" at the tribunal.
In 2002, an interim report of the tribunal found that Mr Joseph Murphy snr, since deceased, and his son, also Mr Joseph Murphy, were involved in a corrupt payment to the former minister for justice, Ray Burke, who is now serving a prison sentence on tax offences.