Limerick lecturer Mr Denis Riordan was jailed today by the Supreme Court for contempt in the face of the court.
Mr Riordan was taken into custody for referring to the three sitting judges Mr Justice Ronan Keane, Mr Justice Francis Murphy and Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman as "three corrupt judges".
Mr Riordan had an application before the Supreme Court for a stay on orders for £48,000 costs made against him arising from his unsuccessful proceedings aimed at halting the 1998 referendum on the Belfast Agreement.
After the court adjourned his application today, Mr Riordan continued to address the court. The Chief Justice, Mr Justice Keane, asked him to cease and indicated some form of action would have to be taken if he persisted.
When the next case was called, Mr Riordan persisted in addressing the court and he referred to the three judges as "corrupt". Justice Ronan Keane ordered his immediate detention and instructed Gardaí to remove him from the court.
Mr Riordan was then brought to the Bridewell Garda Station where he spent several hours in custody. This afternoon the Chief Justice asked Mr Riordan to withdraw his previous remarks and to assure the court there would be no repetition of what had happened.
Mr Riordan responded: "I have no reason to apologise. What I said in court today is correct and true." Mr Justice Keane said: "The court is satisfied Denis Riordan is guilty of contempt and will commit him to prison." The judge told Mr Riordan he would be remanded in custody to Mountjoy Prison until he purged his contempt.
Mr Riordan remarked: "This is a corruptly constituted court." The three judges then left the court.