THE Mayor of Derry will know next week whether the privileges of his office will be restored. Mr Richard Dallas, an Ulster Unionist, had these revoked by the nationalist controlled council after he took part in a loyalist blockade during the Drumcree crisis last July.
He challenged the decision in an application for judicial review. Judgment was reserved yesterday "alter two days in the High Court in Belfast.
Mr Justice Kerr said the case had raised some very important questions. "Although this is a case which requires early resolution I could not do justice by delivering an extemporary judgment," he said.
Earlier Mr Michael Lavery QC argued that the council had a "complete and unfettered discretion" to strip Mr Dallas of the privileges of his office, including the right to represent the council at civic functions and the use of the mayoral car.
Mr Lavery said the mayor was chairman of the council, which was a statutory duty which could be subject to judicial review.
But other functions, such as representing the council at a factory opening, were within the rem it of the council.
"They have a complete and unfettered discretion to decide whether they want this gentleman to be their representative," said Mr Lavery.
"This is not an area which the courts can realistically supervise."
He said the gravamen or basis of the charge against the mayor was that he took part in an unlawful and illegal blockade of Derry's Craigavon Bridge as part of a campaign of similar blockades all over Northern Ireland.
"The mayor doesn't say in his affidavit how he came to be on the bridge," said Mr Lavery.
"Did he just wake up that morning, put on his sash and suddenly come upon a group of people on the bridge?"
Mr Lavery said it was clear that the action was part of a syndicated campaign and added: "The evidence is overwhelming that he took part in a criminal offence and has not sought to deny it."
The whole thrust of the council's case is the damage the mayor has done to his ability to carry out his official duties.
"The council is not seeking to punish him. The majority of the members are just trying to get him to make amends so that he can properly perform his official duties in the future."