High Court asked to award costs to taxi-drivers who took deregulation case
The High Court has been asked to use its discretion and award costs to three taxi drivers who lost their legal challenge over deregulation.
The drivers unsuccessfully argued the decision to liberalise the market in 2000 was a breach of their right to earn a living.
Thomas Kelly was one of three drivers who put themselves forward on behalf of over a thousand others affected by deregulation in 2000.
He claims he lost his home after borrowing 120,000 pounds for an asset that’s now effectively worthless.
Last month, the High Court ruled there was nothing wrong with the decision to deregulate the market.
The trio were back before the court today to discuss the issue of costs, which could run into millions of euro.
Traditionally, the losing party pays up, but the court was asked to use its discretion to award them their costs, or at least a portion of them.
They argued their case raised novel legal issues and was in the public interest because of the number of people affected and the level of debate raised in the Dáil, council chambers and public houses.
Mr. Justice Michael Peart reserved judgement until next week.
