Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 4223Constitutional challenge (presidential nomination process) · Co. Dublin

Supreme Court to hear appeal over presidential nomination process

The Supreme Court agreed to hear Niall Byrne's leapfrog appeal over the High Court's dismissal of his challenge to the presidential nomination process, specifically regarding Fine Gael leader Simon Harris's direction to local authority members not to nominate Independent candidates.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWithin 24 hours, he claimed the Fine Gael leader directed local councils to block or discourage the nomination of Independent candidates. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Byrne announced on 5 September he intended to seek nomination as an independent candidate for the Presidential election. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA panel of three Supreme Court judges agreed to hear the appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe issue cannot affect the validity of the election of President Catherine Connolly. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe respondents to the appeal are Simon Harris, the Minister for Housing, the Attorney General and Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherArticle 12.4 provides any citizen of Ireland aged 35 and over can run for president. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCandidates must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or by four local councils. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Dec2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Supreme Court to hear appeal over nomination process for presidential elections

    Supreme Court panel of three judges agreed to hear the appeal, noting the issue relates only to the nomination process and cannot affect the validity of President Catherine Connolly's election. The High Court had ruled the direction was a political directive and not justiciable.

    victim, Niall Byrne, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrnesuspect, Simon Harris, named, irish (judged from name)Simon Harris