Constitutional Rights and Covid-19: O'Doherty & Anor v Minister for Health & Ors [2020] IEHC 209

AuthorGearóid Smiddy
PositionSecond Year BCL Student, University College Cork
Pages112-118
(2021) 20 COLR 112
112
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND COVID-19: O’DOHERTY & ANOR v MINISTER
FOR HEALTH & ORS [2020] IEHC 209
Gearóid Smiddy*
A INTRODUCTION
This matter involved two former journalists seeking leave of the Court to bring judicial review
proceedings challenging the constitutionality of legislation designed to halt the spread of
COVID-19. The relief sought was an order of certiorari rendering the COVID-19 legislation
null and void on grounds of repugnancy to the Constitution.1
The framework of legislation was introduced following the World Health Organisation’s
(WHO) declaration of a pandemic in March 2020. The legislation at issue included the Health
Act 2020, Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, and a number of
statutory instruments issued by the first named respondent.2 This resulted in restrictions on
travel, the prohibition of events and allowed for the possible detention of persons suspected of
being potential sources of infection. Moreover, persons were prohibited from leaving their
place of residence without reasonable excuse.
B ARGUMENTS OF THE APPLICANTS
The applicants, who proceeded as lay litigants, contended that the measures adopted were
disproportionate and that the Minister for Health had acted on ‘fraudulent science’.3 It was
asserted that that no evidence was presented to the public that such measures had ever
succeeded in any comparable situation.4 The applicants alleged the arrival of a ‘police state’
and referred to criticisms of government-imposed lockdowns made by a former UK Supreme
Court judge.5
The application mostly consisted of complaints of unconstitutionality. It was maintained that
the COVID-19 pandemic did not amount to an emergency as per Article 28.3.3° which the
* Second Year BCL Student, University College Cork. I would like to thank the Editorial Board for helpful
comments on an earlier version. Further thanks to members of the faculty of UCC School of Law who continue
to inspire me.
1 O’Doherty & Anor v Minister for Health & Ors [2020] IEHC 209, [2020] 5 JIC 1303 [9].
2 Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020;
Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020.
3 O’Doherty (n 1) [39].
4 ibid [36].
5 ibid [39].

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT