The High Court has heard claims that TV and radio ads for the Children’s Referendum, contain subliminal messages.

Mark McCrystal, an engineer from Kilbarrack Road, has begun a legal challenge to the Government’s information campaign.

His legal team suggested today that children’s voices have been used in radio ads to manipulate voters.

Mark McCrystal’s lawyers suggested today that TV and radio ads contain subliminal messages about next month’s referendum.

The Court was also told that a smiley face used on the homepage of the childrensreferendum.ie website, sends out a positive ‘Yes’ message.

A Facebook ‘like’ button has already been removed, after complaints there was no opposing, dislike button.

Mr McCrystal’s case is that the Government’s 1.1 million euro information campaign contains a narrative of ‘comfort, reassurance and positiviy’ which obscures counter balancing arguments.

Lawyers for the State say the material is substantially objective, and to prove its breached the McKenna Judgement, Mr McCrystal would require more than allegations of subliminal messages.