Campaigner in court row over ‘democracy’ posters

A DEMOCRACY campaigner is bringing a court case against Dublin City Council for removing his posters during the election.

Stephen Mulcahy is chairman of the R48 initiative, which aims to restore Article 48 to the Constitution.

The article allows for ‘direct democracy’ – so people can make their own laws by organising a petition, which could trigger a referendum.

This could be used to block unpopular new laws, or bring in fresh policies, it is argued. The article was removed from the 1922 Constitution in 1928.

Through his counsel, Mr Mulcahy has told the High Court that the council took down his ‘R48 Initiative’ posters. Its reason was the posters did not relate to the General Election.

He said he had been warned that the gardaí would be called if he tried to put the posters up again.

But Mr Mulcahy said the city council had erred in law.

He said the posters did relate to the campaign as they ‘encouraged the furthering of political ideas’ in a general election context.

Mr Justice Michael Hanna said Mr Mulcahy, of Ranelagh, Dublin, could make his application for permission to seek a judicial review of the council’s decision today, by which time the authority will have been notified and will be represented.