Legal challenges could delay same-sex marriage
Two legal challenges to the outcome of the marriage referendum are to be heard by the Court of Appeal at the end of next month.
The government had hoped to publish the legislation before the Dáil rises in July, but the legal situation means same sex marriage is likely to be delayed.
There are two separate legal challenges to the outcome of the vote.
One is brought by Gerry Walshe, an electrician, from Lisdeen Road, Co Clare – the other by Maurice Lyons, a gardener, with an address at Callan, Co Kilkenny.
Both men are lay litigants. In the High Court Gerry Walshe claimed there was state bias in funds towards the Yes side and he claimed the secrecy of the ballot was compromised by CCTV at polling stations.
Both cases were dismissed by High Court President Nicholas Kearns, but an appeal hearing has been set for July 30, two weeks after the Dáil rises, which means legislation may not be in place until at least the autumn.
