Date set for Haughey obstruction trial

At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a date has been set for the trial of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey on charges of obstructing the McCracken Tribunal. The trial will begin on March 21st next year. However that date hinges on the outcome of an application by his legal team to have the trial adjourned until the Moriarty Tribunal is completed. That motion will be heard on December 6th. Mr Haughey has been remanded on continuing bail.

Charles Haughey arrived at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court shortly after 9am this morning in 1994 blue Mercedes. The former Taoiseach and his son Conor entered the building, spending over an hour in a room adjourning court 26. Mr Haughey's case was listed at number 15 and was not called out of turn. He sat with his son and daughter, Eimear Mulhearn, at the back of the crowded courtroom as his counsel Eoin McGonigal told Judge Elizabeth Dunne a trial date was required. Mr McGonigal also said that there was a motion before the court seeking an adjournment of the trial pending the completion of the Moriarty Tribunal. He wanted an early date for that hearing because of the possible progress of that motion, should it not be successful. In other words an appeal to the High Court may be anticipated.

Mr Haughey was not required to participate in today's proceedings. Maurice Gaffney, who is prosecuting the case, said was anxious to have the trial date fixed and indicated that the DPP will be responding to earlier queries on the indictment. Gardaí cleared the exit for Mr Haughey as he left the court building.