Drinks case involving Anthony Molloys bar adjourned over translation argument

A judge has adjourned an after-hours drinks case to establish if the law covering the offence has been translated into Irish.
The case is linked to the Central Bar in Ardara, which is run by Donegal All Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy.
At Glenties District Court,  Defence solicitor Sean O’Shea said that under the Constitution all legislation must be in Irish.
However, Mr O’Shea said,  the most recent amending legislation in this case passed in 2003 has not yet been translated under a 2006 Act, and around the country, charges were being dismissed on that basis.
He said: “If we want it to be heard in Irish we haven’t the facility to carry it forward”, adding that the Office of Public Works recently said there was a personnel problem holding up translations.
Judge Kelly raised the query whether the July 2006 Act requiring translations only referred to legislation after that date but Mr O’Shea said there was a retrospective argument.
The hearing was adjourned until September 28 for mention again to permit the prosecution to study the matter.