Court battle over Irish signs at Grand Central Station is put back to May
A legal battle over installing Irish language signs at Belfast's Grand Central Station has been put back until May.
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson is seeking a judicial review of Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins’ decision to approve the £150,000 project.
But a High Court judge confirmed today that a separate challenge against the Stormont administration’s ongoing failure to implement an Irish language strategy will be dealt with first.
Despite a potential overlap in the two cases, Mr Justice McAlinden listed them for separate hearings.
Proceedings were issued after Ms Kimmins announced in March last year plans for the Irish language to feature on signs and ticket vending machines at the new public transport hub.
Mr Bryson claims the decision was so controversial and cut across other Stormont Departments that it should have been brought to the Executive Committee for discussion and agreement.
By failing to take that step Ms Kimmins breached the Ministerial Code, the high-profile activist contends.
Meanwhile, campaign group Conradh na Gaeilge is involved in another ongoing legal action over pledges to progress an initiative for the Irish language.
The High Court has twice ruled previously, in 2017 and again in 2022, that the power-sharing government is in breach of an obligation to adopt a blueprint.
Amid an ongoing alleged violation of a duty enshrined in legislation, the language campaigners have brought a further challenge against both the power-sharing cabinet DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
Both Mr Bryson and Conradh na Gaeilge have already been granted intervenor status in each other’s challenge.
Amid a possible link between the legal issues to be determined, it was previously suggested that they may be dealt with together.
In court today, however, lawyers were in agreement about keeping the cases apart.
Counsel for Conradh na Gaeilge, Karen Quinlivan KC, urged the judge to avoid any further hold-up in dealing with its application for judicial review.
“Our case against the Minister (Lyons) is that he is obstructing the development of an Irish language strategy, and a delay in this case is a significant prejudice to the applicant,” the barrister said.
Following submissions, Mr Justice McAlinden set aside three days after the Easter recess to deal with the Irish language strategy case first.
He also listed the challenge to erecting signs at Grand Central for a two-day hearing in late May.
Speaking outside court, Mr Bryson said: “I look forward to a full determination of the legality of the Minister’s divisive decision.
“Obviously, in the meantime all (Irish) signage remains stayed.”