Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe Niall Carson via PA Images

Embattled judge Seamus Woulfe listed for his first Supreme Court sitting next month

Woulfe is listed for sittings on three days next month, 4, 12 and 19 February.

THE SUPREME COURT judge Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe has been listed for his first sitting of the court next month. 

Woulfe is listed for sittings on three days next month, 4, 12 and 19 February. 

He was nominated to the Supreme Court in mid-July, a number of weeks after the Fianna Fail-Fine Gael-Green Party government was formed. 

The Supreme Court judge attended the “golfgate” event in Clifden, Co Galway, in August when members of the Oireachtas’ golf society gathered for a dinner organised in variance with Covid-19 rules.

He refused to resign over his handling of the incident despite a call from chief justice Frank Clarke to quit.

Last month, new legislation that would reform how judges are appointed in Ireland was approved for drafting by the government. 

The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill would establish a new commission to replace the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. 

The proposal to reform the system comes after the controversy surrounding Woulfe and the Golfgate event. The government subsequently faced questions over how he came to be appointed to the Supreme Court last summer.

Opposition parties raised concerns about the selection process after it emerged in November that Cabinet was not told in July that a number of other judges had expressed interest in the vacancy on the Supreme Court before Woulfe was selected.

The former Attorney General’s name was the only one Justice Minister Helen McEntee put forward to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Green Party leader for approval, only three weeks after she was appointed as minister. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
43 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds