Seven judges to hear Curtin appeal

JUDGE Brian Curtin’s Supreme Court appeal next Monday against the right of TDs and Senators to gather evidence of his alleged misbehaviour for the purposes of an impeachment motion will be heard by seven of the nine judges on the court.

The Circuit Court judge’s appeal against the High Court rejection of his challenge will be mainly grounded on constitutional issues, necessitating a panel of not less than five Supreme court judges.

The Chief Justice can decide to empanel more than five judges to hear appeals or cases for cases of grave or serious constitutional or national import. A small number of cases centred on constitutional considerations have been heard before seven judges in recent years, including the Abbeylara and Jamie Synott cases and the referral by President Mary McAleese last December of the Government Bill to give retroactive legal standing to charges imposed in nursing and residential homes.