Chief Justice Frank Clarke and Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe
This morning.
Further to Golfgate…
The Attorney General has been asked to advise the Taoiseach and the Government on the controversy surrounding Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe and his attendance at a golf dinner in Galway in August.
Mr Justice Clarke said the cumulative effect of the controversy had caused significant and irreparable damage to the Supreme Court.
He told Mr Justice Woulfe that these were matters that affected public trust and his personal view was that Judge Woulfe should resign to maintain public confidence in the court, the judiciary and the administration of justice.
However…
Mr Justice Woulfe said he had come to the conclusion that he should not resign.
Adding…
He said he accepted not being assigned to sit to hear any cases until February and would be willing to forego his salary for three months.
AG asked to advise Government over Woulfe controversy (RTÉ)
Previously: Seámus Woulfe on Broadsheet
Meanwhile…
Judiciary sacrifucing Woulfe to protect their own reputation. Problem is if Woulfe digs in he can’t be fairly removed since the punishment requested is far too excessive for the ‘crime’ and a court would have to uphold his rights if legislature try impeach. Outrage lynching.
— James Gorman (@Gorman_JG) November 10, 2020
The man has no shame
he’s on 200,000.
why was he getting paid in the first place,he’s not sitting its a no show job,popular with corrupt organizations that are above the law,he either broke the law or he did not,his very public humiliation and poor judgment,is sufficient to force his resignation,but the gcvt needs the full force and support,of the legal profession to keep you locked up like filthy animals.
This is going to be a really tricky one for the government. It would be a bold decision and precedent to impeach a member of the judiciary for a non-criminal act, but they will be subject to huge criticism in this climate for not doing so.
I think he will re-consider before then. He’s completely lost the faith of his colleagues and how could he go on like that…
Shame as he had a cool name. Justice Woulfe.
Woulfe will go fast down the sliding scalre from “best mates” to “good friends” to “friends” to “acquaintences” to “kicked under the bus.” Except this one deserves it in spades.
If he doesn’t step down
with the to be expected patronising guff of his party
in the interests of Justice without doubts, and letting the Government govern blah blah
He’s going to be impeached at the request of the Courts Service
You heard it here lads
He’s a gonner
and there will be a lot of BlueShirt Hairy Shirt wearing grovelling and contrition until the New Year
With some Governance and Ethics training over the Christmas for Senior Party Figures
Ok that bit is wishful thinking
But shur
Maybe Derek Mooney or Dan Boyle should take it up
How does impeachment at the request of the Courts Service work, Frillz?
A request to the Dept of Justice, Constitutional Committee / law drafters committee
Then to the AG I suppose
(Although I no longer trust that Cabinet Officer)
A Resolution must then be passed by both houses
dotted and crossed, not a hair out of place
Signed Sealed and delivered to Frank
Giving him permission to remove a named Judge from the Court
Article 35 . something
Proscribes High Court & Supreme Court Judges but a senior Court Service Official pal says they consider it to apply to all of them, since within the more efficient and modern Courts Service now they all have the same job for life promise
Never actually used btw
So I suppose the wording shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incapacity is open to being tested
And I’m certain there’ll be plenty from within the Law Library happy to give it a lash
Mind you
It shouldn’t be all that tricky drawing the line to misbehaviour
– failure to comply and observe public health regs in a pandemic, exposing others to the risk of infection, taking his time to respond, bringing his office into disrepute etc etc
And incapacity can be assumed if his own colleagues won’t sit with him, But if anyone is looking for extra padding, then exposing his Judicial independence to Influence from Government and Registered Lobbiests n’ the like
Or that his very attitude to the restrictions imposed demeaned the responsibility of the Supreme Court, and suggested it’s members consider themselves above the law,
Or that they are to be treated under it very differently than the likes of yourself and meself Andy
Lemme at it
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/how-can-a-judge-be-removed-from-office-1.4337054
Interesting read.