Limerick college lecturer Mr Denis Riordan has been prevented from taking legal proceedings in either the High or Supreme Courts against the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Government or the State without the Supreme Court's prior permission following a decision by that court yesterday.
The Chief Justice, Mr Justice Keane, said the stage had been clearly reached where the proper administration of justice required the making of such an order against Mr Riordan.
The judge said that Mr Riordan had not merely repeatedly sought to reopen decisions of the court but he had persistently abused his right to appear in court in cases in which he had no direct interest in order to make "scandalous allegations, not merely against members of the judiciary but other persons whom he chose to join as defendants in his proceedings".
A week ago, Mr Riordan was freed by the Supreme Court, having spent seven days in prison when he refused to withdraw remarks that the three judges hearing his applications were "corrupt".
Yesterday, the court dismissed his request to be allowed challenge Supreme and High Court orders preventing him taking any further proceedings against the Taoiseach, Government and State without the High Court's permission.
The court agreed it would not prevent Mr Riordan applying for a stay on an order for an estimated £40,000 costs given against him in relation to his challenge to the Belfast Agreement.
He failed in his claim that he was entitled to have his applications heard by a "full court" of five judges.
Mr Justice Keane said the court was extremely reluctant, as the High Court had been, to restrain the access of any citizen to the courts. But the court would make an order that Mr Riordan be restrained from instituting any proceedings, whether by way of appeal or otherwise, against any of the parties to the current proceedings or the holders of any of the offices cited by Mr Riordan as defendants or against the Oireacthas or any member of the Government (other than in relation to the taxation of costs).
In relation to Mr Riordan's claim that he was entitled to have his applications heard by a full court of five judges, the Chief Justice said there was no provision either in the Constitution or in statute law for the requirement (alleged by Mr Riordan) that every matter coming before the court might be decided only by a court consisting of all its members.
Mr Justice Keane said it would be remarkable if any such provision existed given the extent of the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction.