Legal challenges look set to delay the introduction of same sex marriage, at least until later this year.

The government had hoped to pass the legislation before the Dáil rises in July.

Last weekend's gay pride parade in Dublin was the biggest ever - no doubt a direct result of the Yes vote on marriage equality in the May referendum.

But the governments hopes of enacting legislation for same-sex marriages by July are seriously in doubt because of two separate legal challenges to the outcome of the vote.

One is brought by Gerry Walshe, an electrician from Lisdeen Road, Co Clare - the other by Maurice Lyons, a gardener with an address at Callan, Co Kilkenny.

Both men are lay litigants.

In the High Court, Mr Walshe claimed there was State bias in funds towards the Yes side, and he claimed the secrecy of the ballot was compromised by CCTV at polling stations.

Both cases were dismissed by High Court President Nicholas Kearns.

However an appeal hearing has been set for July 30th, two weeks after the Dáil rises which means legislation may not be in place until at least the autumn.