An attempt has begun to have the Supreme Court re-hear a case relating to the Bula lead and zinc mine in Co Meath on which the same court delivered judgment early last year.

Bula Ltd, in receivership, and its directors are seeking a rehearing of an appeal in which the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's rejection of their claim that the Minister for Energy, Tara Mines, and other defendants were responsible for the failure to bring the Bula mine at Nevinstown, Navan, into production. Bula director Mr Michael Wymes claims the appeal should be re-heard because, he alleges, two of the Supreme Court judges who heard the appeal - the present Chief Justice, Mr Justice Keane and Mr Justice Barrington, now retired - had acted for Tara in the 1970s.

A Supreme Court bench consisting of the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Morris, Ms Justice Denham and Ms Justice McGuinness will continue the hearing of their application next week.