The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on an appeal against a High Court decision in the long-running action over the Bula zinc mine near Navan, Co Meath. The High Court hearing had lasted for a record 277 days. The Supreme Court appeal concluded yesterday after an 11-day hearing.

In early 1997, the High Court dismissed the action brought by businessmen Mr Michael Wymes, of Navan, and Mr Richard Wood, of Cork, and Bula Ltd, in receivership, over the failure of the Bula mine to come into operation. They sued Tara Mines Ltd; Tara Mines's parent company, Outokumpu Oy; and the Minister for Energy. The initial dispute over the mine began in the mid-1970s.