The Court of Appeal has dismissed “pointless” arguments that have delayed legislation of same-sex marriage in Ireland.

The Court of Appeal has cleared the way for the introduction of same-sex marriage after rejecting two separate applications challenging the Yes result in the marriage referendum on May 22.

After eight hours, three judges dismissed arguments by two applicants on the basis of ‘lack of evidence’ to support their claims.

Gerry Walshe, an electrician from Co. Clare, had claimed that a substantial amount of public monies were provided to various organisations advocating a Yes vote, however it was ruled that Walshe had no proof that the money was public.

Walshe also said that the Garda Representative Association was not entitled to advocate a Yes vote and that the Taoiseach should not have refused to participate in debates with No campaigners in the run up to the referendum. The judge ruled that these were not grounds on which a petition could be brought.

Other arguments were dismissed, included the claim that An Post were using “subliminal messaging” to sway voters by releasing a St Valentine’s Day stamp with an equality symbol on it and that the State “hid the truth about HIV and AIDS during the campaign”.

After the decision was made, confirming a Yes vote, activists and public figures celebrated on social media.

After 8 hours of incarceration the appeal court 6 have been freed!! Off for equal bubbles pic.twitter.com/kjVQKJt6mx

— Tiernan Brady (@Tiernanbrady) July 30, 2015

Ireland free to confirm #marref overwhelming majority of Yes of the Irish people. Justice done!

— Katherine Zappone (@SenatorKZappone) July 31, 2015

Court of Appeal dismisses both challenges to the referendum and lifts stay on confirming referendum result #marref

— Brian Sheehan (@brianatglen) July 30, 2015