Dates set at Supreme Court for Kerins and O’Brien appeals

Ms Kerns is appealing against the rejection of her damages bid over the Dáil Public Accounts Committee’s hearings relating to public funds given to Rehab.

Her appeal has been fixed for March 13 and will be followed by that of Denis O’Brien over a dismissal of his action at the High Court concerning statements in the Dáil about his banking dealings, The Irish Times reports.

As both appeals concerns the separation of powers the Supreme Court has chosen to hear them consecutively, with Mr O’Brien’s appeal being heard on March 20.

Ms Kerns claims questions from two Public Accounts Committee hearings about her €240,000 annual salary amounted to a “witch hunt”.

Mr O’Brien failed at the High Court in his case against the Dáil and State, over comments made in the Dáil about his banking affairs with the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, as they were made after he obtained court injunctions which restrained RTÉ from publicising the information.