McEntee dilemma as Woulfe refuses to resign

Justice Minister Helen McEntee will be coming under pressure as Judge Seamus Woulfe refuses to resign over his attendance at the controversial golfing dinner in Cliften during the summer.

The Government’s is considering its next move over what to do about Judge Woulfe’s attendance at the dinner, which broke Covid-19 regulations and led to the resignations of Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary and EU Commissioner Phil Hogan.

Taoiseach, Micheal Martin has asked the Attorney General, Paul Gallagher, for advice on Mr Woulfe after his refusal to resign when asked by his fellow judges and the Chief Justice, Frank Clarke.

The matter is expected to be discussed at today's cabinet meeting.

Mr Justice Clarke has said he believes that Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe should resign his position in the wake of the controversy.

In a letter released last night, Mr Justice Clarke told Woulfe: “Regrettably, however, I believe that I should make clear my personal opinion that, to avoid continuing serious damage to the judiciary, you should resign.”

Woulfe refused and told the chief justice that he “does not consider it in any way appropriate that [he] should resign”.

A meeting took place between the pair last Thursday, but details weren’t issued until late last evening.