Haughey last week instigated proceedings in the Commercial Court against the CER, which had approved the route for the 156km interconnector that will facilitate an all island energy market.

The tycoon, who was made a Unionist peer in 2004 and goes by the name Lord Ballyedmond, had been offered roughly 50,000 for the compulsory acquisition of a part of his land in Louth measuring approximately 800 metres by 14 metres, with a "working width" of 40 metres.

At an oral hearing held in Dublin last year, Haughey's legal representative said that the pipeline route would have "severe injurious effects on the lands, in particular two fields of high quality and the proposed dwelling house as well as the future development of the lands".

The pipeline will facilitate the transportation of natural gas to five towns along the route in Northern Ireland:

Newry, Banbridge, Craigavon, Antrim and Armagh.

It will also benefit the Phoenix Natural Gas network in the Belfast area.

The case is expected to be heard in May. The pipeline, which was expected to get underway in October, will be pushed back should a judicial review be granted.