Court asked to review Mass card provision in Charities Act
The High Court is to be asked to block the part of the new Charities Act which outlaws the sale of Mass cards other than through an arrangement with the Catholic Church.
The Act becomes law on Tuesday next, September 1, and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy was told today that sales of Mass cards, other than by agreement with a Bishop or Provincial of an order of priests, could lead to a 10 year jail sentence or €300,000 fine.
Dr Gerard Hogan, S.C., representing two of the largest distributors and retailers of Mass Cards in Ireland, was granted permission to serve short notice on the State and Garda Síochana of an application seeking an injunction restraining the introduction of the 2009 Act or Section 99 of it.
The action has been taken against the State, the Minister of State for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs who has responsibility for the law relating to charities, and the Garda Commissioner.
Mr Justice McCarthy granted leave to serve short notice of Monday's application for restraints on the State solicitor as representative of the defendants.
