I made no representations of any sort whatsoever about the case to anyone... I acted out of a spirit of humanitarian interest in relation to this matter... In so fas as this case has brought undue skewered focus on the judiciary, I deeply regret it.
- Mr Justice Hugh O'Flaherty (statement to the Chief Justice)
Mr Justice O'Flaherty's intervention was inappropriate and unwise... it left his action open to misinterpretation and therefore damaging to the administration of justice.
- The Hamilton Report
Judge Kelly said it was a dangerous driving causing death case and... the young accused (whom he described as `a graduate') had a large sum of money as compensation in court. He told me the accused had no previous convictions and came from a good family. He said he felt it was a suitable case for a suspended sentence.
- What Judge Matthews says Judge Kelly told him about Philip Sheedy
I can't impose a suspended sentence in this case... it's not a case in which a suspended sentence could be imposed.
- What Judge Matthews says he told Judge Kelly.
He didn't speak at all. By gesture he indicated to me with both hands out at arms length and made a face which I took as a gesture meaning `if that's what you think, then that's what you must do'.
- Judge Kelly's reaction, according to Judge Matthews.
I am satisfied that I did not have the conversation with Judge Matthews as recounted by him... I am satisfied that the meeting as recounted by him did not take place.
- Judge Kelly's response to Judge Matthews' statement to the Chief Justice
Judge Kelly... failed to conduct the case in a manner befitting a judge... Judge Kelly's handling of this matter compromised the administration of justice.
- The Hamilton Report
Source: Extracted from the Hamilton Report and annex 8, annex 27 and annex 28 to the Report.