The judicial commission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which met yesterday, is to announce "as soon as possible" its decision on an appeal by complainants seeking the removal of a minister from his Dublin post.
The four-hour meeting at Church House in Belfast investigated whether proper procedures were followed by the Dublin and Munster presbytery last December in rejecting attempts by members of the Howth/Malahide congregation to have Rev Dr Gary Millar removed as minister.
The commission, which is made up of approximately 20 senior ministers and elders from all over Ireland, said in a brief statement last night it was "considering the terms of the decision" and would issue its finding "as soon as possible."
Rev Millar (39) was appointed to the Howth/Malahide congregation in 2000 and has run into difficulties, particularly with members in Howth.
It is believed problems centre on what is perceived as his evangelical zeal and his focus on newer members, particularly in Malahide.
He has introduced a type of ministry which is very much focused on young families, with up to 10 minutes at the beginning of each service devoted to children.
He is also said to favour a much more evangelical, Bible-based approach to preaching and to be far less ecumenically-minded than his predecessor, the Rev Bill O'Neill.
Newer, younger members of the congregation speak with great enthusiasm about Rev Millar, while older members claim to have been marginalised.
