A High Court case challenging the validity of the Household Charge has been struck out this week. The case on March 7th was bought by a Peter Anthony Keegan who claimed ministers Phil Hogan, Alan Shatter and Michael Noonan were in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights.
Justice Murphy struck out the proceedings brought by Mr Keegan, describing them as ill-conceived.
This now means that cases in Westport District Court against Mr. Keegan and a number of other defendants from the Mayo area can proceed.
Mr. Keegan appeared in court in Westport this week and told Judge Devins he wanted the cases against him, which relates to six properties, to go ahead , but the Judge said she wanted all the cases to be heard together.
Judge Devins adjourned all cases to April 4th 2013
This is the only case of non payment of the Household Charge that has been taken to court.
The new Property Tax legislation means that any unpaid Household Charge will be added on to the Property Tax and collected by the Revenue.
The Household Charge amount due is now €130 (when penalties and interest are added on) – but this will be increased to €200 from July .
More about the defunct Household Charge here