The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, and disability rights campaigner Ms Kathy Sinnott could face substantial legal bills following a High Court ruling this morning in relation to election expenses in Cork South Central in the 2002 general election.
The court rejected applications by both parties for contributions towards the legal bill from the State.
Ms Sinnott lost her challenge in January, but Mr Martin did not seek costs against her.
The Minister had topped the poll in the election while Ms Sinnott narrowly lost out on the contest for the fifth and final seat. Ms Sinnott alleged Mr Martin had spent beyond his legal spending limit.
The costs in the case run to an estimated €500,000.
