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THE NATIONAL UNION of Journalists (NUJ) has defended media coverage of the Golfgate scandal following criticism by Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe.
Mr Justice Woulfe described reports of the scandal as “appalling” and “fake” in an interview with former Chief Justice Susan Denham during an investigation into his attendance at the controversial golf dinner in Clifden, Co Galway.
A transcript of the interview, which took place on 8 September as part of Denham’s investigation into Mr Justice Woulfe’s conduct, was released last week.
Mr Justice Woulfe also told the retired judge that the Oireachtas Golf Society event was treated like the “Ku Klux Klan” and that the media was “really scraping the barrel” by covering the event they way it did.
In a statement to TheJournal.ie, a spokeswoman for the NUJ said it noted the Supreme Court judge’s comments, which the union described as “intemperate” in tone.
“Media coverage of the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner was clearly in the public interest,” the statement said.
“To suggest otherwise is to ignore the legitimate matters of public policy involved, including issues of public health.”
The union also described Mr Justice Woulfe’s reference to the Ku Klux Klan as “disappointing and inappropriate”, and said no journalist was responsible for the position in which the judge had found himself.
“Judges must respect the right of journalists to do their job and should always be measured in their comments about the media,” a spokeswoman added.
The publication of Mr Justice Woulfe’s interview with Denham followed a finding that Woulfe should note resign, despite attending the dinner against Covid-19 guidelines which suggested that he and dozens of others should not have done so.
The controversy has led to the resignations of former Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary and EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan, who also attended the event.
Mr Justice Woulfe told Denham that he thought coverage of the event in the Irish Examiner, which broke the story, was “the greatest load of rubbish” when he saw the newspaper’s reports.
Towards the end of his conversation with Denham, Mr Justice Woulfe was asked if he accepted that the event had created a huge public controversy, responding: “Yes, it but it looks objectively to be completely fake, overblown.”
He added: “In one sense I suppose that is so, that for the media to also have the chance to bring down a judge adds an extra fuel to the fire and it did add to the controversy that I was there.”
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Good judgment seems to be seriously lacking in this so called Judge. Seems to have plenty of arrogance and delusions of self importance.
@Da_Dell: whats new this is the legal system threw and threw
@Da_Dell: Yes, He seems like an Arrogant Buck alright. of Course He should have been told to resign by the Honourable Retired Justice. I think that She damaged her reputation too by that report. Just Showed the white flag there to a Colleague .
@john s: who through the first stone?
Sad thing is that he really believes what he is saying. His pompous arrogant take on events is staggering. Standing on his pedestal and his inability to see the bigger picture does seriously question his ability to be a judge
@Dave Phelan: They are all the same in the upper echelons of our society. I used to laugh at Enda Kenny’s facial expressions when he was questioned on his performance as taoiseach. In his eyes he single handedly saved Ireland from the recession. In reality, he winged it. They pay their advisors to tell them how wonderful they are. They don’t live in the real world.
He sounds very similar to a certain American president, if he doesn’t like what he reads its “fake” wouldn’t have much faith in him as a judge
@Pat Byrne: Woulfe in Sheep’s clothing.
clearly in the public interest when it suits
certain guests have since remained anonymous.
There is a conflict of interest here he played golf with td,s bankers and other people Brian Hayes brought that we mortals are not allowed to know about. This judge should be sacked he is ment to be above reproach
So everyone is out of step, except the formerly honourable judge, who now has no honourable standing to serve as an esteemed member of the Supreme Court, and would be better advised to adopt a new role as a former judge, & like his former golfing buddies, rebuild some honour in time.
We all have to face hard facts in life, so get on with it, & enable both the body politic & the work of the Supreme Court to progress without this disruptive issue impacting any longer.
‘Well how d@re those plebs question me! A judge!!’ The arrogance of the man.
@Miss T: off with their heads!
As if being caught flouting the rules he helped make and brown nosing wasn’t bad enough. These comments by a SCt judge about the media are a blatant attack on democracy with shades of Trump using fake news and Ku Klux Klan reference points. An absolute disgrace to the judiciary of Ireland and should be hurled out.
More arrogance from someone in high office who thinks they are “superior ” to everyone else.
So basically if it doesn’t bother him it shouldn’t bother us.
What a (insult that won’t make this comment toxic)…….
It seems he doesn’t like the truth he done wrong and can’t accept it but he probably believes his own lies
Surely the people who attended the GAA celebrations at the weekend (with no social distancing) should be removed from their jobs?
Or is it because the attendees at golf gate are better compensated that the Irish public wish to see them removed from their jobs?
I know it’s a privileged to hold these positions but when people say “one rule for them and one rule for us” is this exactly the same?
Genuine question, really hoping to not get attacked here.
@Dan Jones: These people were making the rules!
@Dan Jones: judges, ministers and commissioners are regarded as leaders of society. Unlike those in other occupations they actually make the rules. There is therefore a greater obligation on them to be seen to keep the rules. Leaders must show leadership.
@Dan Jones: how many of those who attended those celebrations have sat at the Cabinet table? No one is asking the 80 attendees to resign. Just those with jobs directly linked to public office.
@Dan Jones: the ones that attended the golf gate dinner are employed by the people of this country if the people think they should lose their job’s then that is what should happen, what do you think really went on when you have lobbyists mixing with politicians and judges. The small person doesn’t stand a chance while this continues.
@Dan Jones:
Those outdoor celebrations were impromptu in nature following long-overdue success by the local G A A team from a very tight-knit community.
Yes, the socially distancing effort could have been better amid the over exuberance, following big match win. But many involved were healthy youngsters, just paying homage to local hero’s from their neighborhood.
Contrast this now with well documented non-golfing activities at Golfgate, taking into account forensic level of advance planning that organizers must have put into it, age profile of attendees…most from upper echelons of Society, including Politics, Legislature, Banking. All bright, intelligent people, I’m sure, but not the sharpest tools in the box when it comes to empathy for the suffering masses, who pay their wages.
@Dan Jones: We pay their wages, expenses and privileges, and pay for their ‘golf’ society. That’s the difference.
@Dan Jones: gaa allowed games dinner over 50 wasnt
@Dan Jones: and the sinn fein TDs who attended the IRA funeral in Belfast
@Miss T: all valid points, was just looking to better understand the anger myself. I sometimes feel that public outrage can be the death nail for a person in this position. Surprised to see he survived it and I’m wondering why?
A pity he did not face Ursula rather than Sue!
I would not like to go up before him as he cannot see what he did wrong
Irish journalisms is on the ropes people are not buying or subscribing to their newspapers. Golf gate is an attempt to demonstrate that the old order of protecting the elite is over
How does one get into the Supreme Court? Do you collect 12 crisp packets and become a Supreme Court Judge?
The media are setting themselves up as the keeper of of the nations’ standards in all things and see nothing wrong in whipping up hysteria to justify their position. Sensationalism seems to be the M. 0. and measured comment is non existant.
His response absolutely supports the position that he should be forced into retirement.
In fairness some of the media reported the wrong information. But still no excuse.
Its all a farce really, our current Attorney General, Paul Gallagher is having another crack at the big job. His last term 2007-2011 saw him advise on the bank guarantee scheme, the establishment of the National Asset Management Agency and the Troika programme. Then in march 2011 he received severance pay of €81,886.16. Now he’s back for more gravy. The role of Attorney General being rotated over the term of the government, with Fianna Fáil selecting the first Attorney General.
Seamus Woulfe returned to practice at the bar in June 2020 In July 2020, he was nominated by the Government to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court of Ireland. His appointment was recommended by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. another quango not fit for purpose just more jobs for the privileged.
The NUJ shouldn’t have even clarified.
@Berkieahern3: television gives us a window on the world so why does the NUJ support censorship and the tv licence scam
I don’t think much of the ex Attorney General and current judge, or any of them at that Golf Dinner, but I hate the ‘Gotcha!’ journalism that exposed them and worse went trawling through councillors and other minor politician’s social media to catch them out not heeding advice. I stopped buying the Examiner for a bit after it but had to capitulate on Saturday when I heard about the student Gardaí UCC story on the radio.
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