No jurisdiction to award costs in successful firearms appeal in the District Court

Judicial review – whether the District Court has jurisdiction to grant an order for costs to an appellant who has been successful in an appeal under the firearms legislation – applicants had been refused a certificate to use and carry a designated firearm by the licensing authority – Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009 – estoppel – jurisdiction of the District Court – s. 77 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924 – s. 33 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961 – s. 1(4) of the Firearms Act 1920 (10 & 11 Geo.5. Ch. 43) – whether the jurisdiction to award costs exists – District Court Rules 1997 vested in the District Court the power to award costs in civil proceedings – O.51, r.1 of the District Court Rules 1997 – appeal to the District Court is to be considered a licensing matter and is outside the scope of O.51, r.1 of the District Court Rules 1997 in relation to the award of costs – was the District Court exercising a licensing jurisdiction – s. 15A(1)(b) and (d) of the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009, as inserted by s. 43 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 – J.M. Kelly: the Irish Constitution” (4th Ed.) – no constitutional or other right to hold a firearms certificate is advanced – reliefs sought refused.