Daniel McConnell: Separation of powers at issue in avoidable crisis

Political failure to implement proper standards for the judiciary has come back to haunt the inhabitants of Leinster House

The publication of letters between Chief Justice Frank Clarke and Seamus Woulfe was nothing short of extraordinary. Picture: Denis Minihane

On August 24, five days after the Golfgate event in the Station House Hotel in Clifden, the Supreme Court requested former chief justice Susan Denham to examine the consequences of Judge Seamus Woulfe’s presence at the dinner.

She was asked to consider certain questions arising out of the attendance of Judge Woulfe at an event in the west of Ireland and to report her conclusions and recommendations to Chief Justice Frank Clarke.