The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, could face an embarrassing and potentially damaging court appearance later this month to explain her controversial comments that Mr Charles Haughey should be convicted and jailed.
Ms Harney may be called to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to give evidence in the attempt by her old political adversary, Mr Haughey, to have charges that he obstructed the McCracken tribunal struck out or postponed following what his counsel claimed had been prejudicial publicity.
Judge Kevin Haugh agreed yesterday to hear a motion to have the Haughey trial stopped on the basis that he could not get a fair trial. The hearing will start on June 20th and is expected to last several days.
Mr Haughey's legal counsel, Mr Eoin McGonigal SC, told the court that there was a possibility that oral evidence might be required in the hearing of the motion.
In a clear reference to Ms Harney, he said parties who might be put on notice for the hearing could include "the public person" who made the recent remarks.
The Tanaiste refused to comment on the matter yesterday, saying: "As I said earlier, I do not comment on court cases."
Mr McGonigal cited eight grounds yesterday in his application to have the McCracken obstruction charges against Mr Haughey struck out, including "State oppression".
The motion called for an order to be made to strike out the charges. Alternatively, he called for a permanent stay to be put on proceedings of the trial, postponing it until "such time, if ever, as the unfairness created by adverse pre-trial publicity abates."