Riordan v. An Taoiseach [2000] IESC 61 (29th June, 2000)

Riordan v. An Taoiseach [2000] IESC 61 (29th June, 2000)

The Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to retry issues already determined in prior judgments; the applicant's motions are bound to fail and constitute abuse of process. Allegations of judicial bias are manifestly ill-founded and unsupported.

Citation
[2000] IESC 61
Parties
Applicant: Denis Riordan; Respondent: An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; Respondent: Tánaiste Mary Harney; Respondent: Government of Ireland; Respondent: Oireachtas na hÉireann; Respondent: Seanad Éireann; Respondent: Dáil Éireann; Respondent: Attorney General David Byrne S.C.; Respondent: Ireland; Respondent: An Taoiseach John Bruton; Respondent: Tánaiste Dick Spring; Respondent: Attorney General Dermot Gleeson
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Procedural Posture
Motions in Supreme Court Following Prior Appeals / Post Judgment Motions
Outcome
Motions struck out as abuse of process; proceedings stayed.
Legal Topics
Abuse of Process, Finality of Judgments, Judicial Impartiality
Civil Procedure Constitutional Law Abuse of Process Finality of Judgments Judicial Impartiality

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 2 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Denis Riordan

Applicant

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

Respondent

Tánaiste Mary Harney

Respondent

Government of Ireland

Respondent

Oireachtas na hÉireann

Respondent

Seanad Éireann

Respondent

Dáil Éireann

Respondent

Attorney General David Byrne S.C.

Respondent

Ireland

Respondent

An Taoiseach John Bruton

Respondent

Tánaiste Dick Spring

Respondent

Attorney General Dermot Gleeson

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Motions in Supreme Court Following Prior Appeals / Post Judgment Motions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the applicant can reopen Supreme Court judgments via motions alleging fundamental errors and judicial corruption
  2. 2 Whether alleged judicial interest or bias invalidates prior judgments
  3. 3 Whether further proceedings constitute abuse of process

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to retry issues already determined in prior judgments; the applicant's motions are bound to fail and constitute abuse of process. Allegations of judicial bias are manifestly ill-founded and unsupported.

Court Disposition

Motions struck out as abuse of process; proceedings stayed.

Orders

  • No further motion or proceedings in these matters without leave of the Supreme Court.
  • Costs awarded to Respondents.