The arrest of two men, only hours before they were due in court to challenge the State's withdrawal of their social welfare benefits, "raised eyebrows" in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday.
Mr James Gantley and his wife, Christine, with daughter Sharon, and sons James jnr and Paul, of Sundrive Road, Crumlin, Dublin, were due to open their appeal yesterday before Judge Elizabeth Dunne.
Mr Donal Keane, counsel for Mr and Mrs Gantley, told Judge Dunne Mr Gantley snr and his son, also James, had been arrested by gardai from Sundrive Road Garda station that morning and he was metaphorically raising an eyebrow about the timing of the arrests.
Mr Patrick Hunt, counsel for James jnr, Sharon and Paul, said he felt the coincidence was extraordinary but for the time being he would leave the benefit of the doubt with the Department of Social Welfare. Ms Nuala Jackson, counsel for the Minister for Social Welfare, told the court there was no connection between the events.
Judge Dunne adjourned the matter until today and directed that a representative of the Garda attend to give evidence.