PILA was approached by Robbie Synnott of the Blind Legal Alliance earlier this year to challenge the Irish State’s failure to provide visually impaired persons with mechanisms to vote in secret. PILA placed the matter through its Pro Bono Referral Scheme and the Blind Legal Alliance was advised that a serious point of law had arisen. The right to vote in secret lies at the heart of democracy and should be fully protected.
Mr Sinnott on behalf of the Blind Legal Alliance is challenging the State’s failure to put in place mechanisms to enable him to vote in secret in the upcoming European and Local Elections on 23 May. The matter is currently before the High Court.
Click here to read an article about the case in the Irish Times.
Click here to rad an article about the case in the Independent.
PILA will continue to monitor the progress of this case and its potential impact in the realm of public interest law.