The High Court will today resume the hearing of an appeal against a Children's Court order permitting a 13-year-old rape victim to travel to England for an abortion. The appeal was heard in camera for more than four hours yesterday before Mr Justice Geoghegan.
At the outset yesterday, the judge ruled the case should be in camera but said he would give his judgment in public.
Last Friday the Children's Court decided that the pregnant girl could travel to Britain for an abortion.
Later that same night, a High Court judge put a stay on the court's order following an application on behalf of her parents.
A number of legal teams were present for the start of yesterday's High Court hearing.
But after legal representations were noted, the judge asked the lawyers if all agreed that the mater should be held in camera. The lawyers agreed.
Mr Justice Geoghegan then said the case would be heard in camera but that in due course he would give his judgment in public.
Yesterday's hearing went on until 4.15 p.m. and is due to resume at 11 a.m. today.
When the judge sat yesterday, Mr Donal O'Donnell SC said he was appearing for the Attorney General. The judge said he understood this was for the purpose of defending the constitutionality of the section.
Mr Gerry Durcan SC said he appeared for C, the girl involved.
Mr Iarfhlaith O'Neill SC said he was representing the parents. There was also representation on behalf of the Eastern Health Board.
The case is being heard by way of judicial review and is likely to involve a large amount of legal argument and a number of affidavits.