Translation victory for Dublin 11 activists
Two of the activists facing trial for the anti-racist occupation
of Bertie Ahern's Drumcondra constituency office in March 2000
have won an important court victory in relation to translation
rights for foreign nationals in the Irish courts.
At the first court hearing, in December 2000, the judge ruled
that the two activists should not have access to state appointed
and funded translators for their cases. This decision was
challenged legally by means of a judicial review appeal to the
High Court, and the activists won the case. Today they had to
appear in court so that their level of competency in English
could be assessed and it was decided that they would need
translators.
This is an important ruling to bear in mind in future cases
involving people who are not native English speakers.
A court hearing last week set 11 and 12 February 2002 as the
trial date for the 11 activists on public order charges arising
from the occupation.