A Judge's decision to change a trial venue because the defendant's oil company sponsors the Armagh County GAA team was attacked in the Court of Appeal in Belfast yesterday.
Mr Michael Lavery QC said it was "quite inappropriate that people should be classified as unfit to do their public duty because they support Gaelic games". He was appearing for Mr Hugh Morgan, of Dublin Road, Newry, in his appeal against the decision to switch his trial from Newry to Belfast.
The decision to switch the trial was made by Judge Randal McKay after the prosecution argued that the sponsorship deal could prejudice the jury panel.
The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell, who heard the appeal with Lord Justices MacDermott and Nicholson, said they wished to consider the arguments and reserved judgment.