THE WOMAN WHO took the government to court over the Children’s Referendum will have to pay 50% of the Supreme Court costs.

In the Supreme Court today, it was agreed that half of the appeal costs would be paid by the state.

It’s believed the overall costs for the appeal amount to between €1.3 million and €1.5 million.

The costs were settled by both parties and agreed by the plaintiff, Dublin woman Joanna Jordan.

One third of her legal costs in relation to the petition hearing in the High Court case against the state were awarded previously.

Agreed settlement

No costs were awarded for the pleanary hearing in the High Court.

In April, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Jordan’s petition to overturn the result of the 2012 referendum.

Mattie McGrath with Joanna Jordan and solicitor Kevin Brophy outside the court in April when Jordan's petition was dismissed. Source: Christina Finn

The court ruled the Government’s conduct – specifically using State monies to publish an unbalanced information campaign (breaching the McKenna principles) – did not impact on the outcome of the referendum.

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Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Joanna Jordan said she was “much relieved” with today’s outcome.

I am very relieved I am not a negative millionaire.

Jordan said she had been in court for 39 days in total and was happy she did not have to pay the full amount for taking the challenge.

While she lost her case, she said she achieved two successes.

“We managed to delay the president from signing the Children’s Referendum into law for over two and half years and the petition forced the Referendum Act to be better defined for future outcomes.”