MINISTER FOR Justice Alan Shatter has intervened in the debate over the Moriarty tribunal report by criticising “unprecedented”, “intemperate” and “unacceptable” attacks on the judiciary.
Mr Shatter said statements made in the wake of the report published this week were intended to bring the judiciary into disrepute and to undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
He pointed out that judges are precluded by law and under the Constitution from responding to “the intemperate attacks which have occurred”.
“Our judiciary play a crucial role in upholding the constitutional rights of individuals, rich or poor, without fear of, or favour to any one individual or the State itself,” Mr Shatter said in a statement last night.
“Statements which endanger public confidence in our judiciary and in our courts are entirely unacceptable and are to be deplored.”
The Minister’s comments follow criticism yesterday by businessman Denis O’Brien of tribunal chairman Mr Justice Michael Moriarty, the judiciary and members of the legal profession in an RTÉ radio interview.
Independent TD Michael Lowry told a meeting with supporters in Co Tipperary this week that the tribunal report was “not based on evidence but was engineered to a pre-determined outcome”.