Hundreds of barring orders could be challenged as a result of the recent High Court decision on the appointment of District Court clerks, according to the director of a women's refuge.
Ms Brenda Hannon, head of Bray Women's Refuge, in Co Wicklow, said there was concern about the validity of many barring orders. As a result of the High Court case, summonses issued by District Court clerks were deemed invalid because clerks had not been appointed directly by the Minister for Justice. A Supreme Court appeal on the decision begins tomorrow.
Ms Hannon cited a case in Dun Laoghaire District Court a fortnight ago when the judge struck out a charge against a man for breaching a barring order, although he E that while the court did not strike out the barring order itself. Ms Hannon said that not all barring orders were affected but hundreds could be at risk.