State Papers: Albert Reynolds gave Harry Whelehan High Court post due to 'custom and practice'

Harry Whelehan at the Four Courts for his appointment as a High Court judge. Albert Reynolds later accused Whelehan of seriously misleading the government when it was revealed he had previously dealt with a case akin to Fr Brendan Smyth case. Picture: Billy Higgins

Secret documents show that then taoiseach Albert Reynolds sought to rely on “custom and practice” to explain the controversial appointment of Attorney General Harry Whelehan as a High Court judge in 1994.

State papers released by the National Archives under the 30-year rule offer insight into the political controversy that would lead to the collapse of the Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition government after just two years in power.