Harry Whelehan
Encyclopedia
Harry Whelehan is a former Irish
Attorney general
and for six days was President of the High Court.
to prevent a 14 year old rape victim having an abortion. The injunction was granted by the High Court, but overturned by the Supreme Court on the grounds that the pregnancy was a risk to her health.
Harry Whelehan said later in an interview that it was his sense of duty to Ireland that made him take the case but that he regretted the sadness and hurt caused.
during the subsequently controversial arrest and extradition of Father Brendan Smyth, and his appointment as President of the High Court by Albert Reynolds
in 1994 was opposed by the Labour Party
due to the controversy. The appointment led to the downfall of the Labour-Fianna Fáil government, and Whelehan himself stepped down after 6 days in the new role.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Attorney general
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
and for six days was President of the High Court.
X Case controversy
In 1992 as attorney general, Harry Whelehan sought an injunction in the X CaseAttorney General v. X
Attorney General v. X was a 1992 Irish Supreme Court case which established the right of Irish women to an abortion if a pregnant woman's life was at risk because of pregnancy, including the risk of suicide....
to prevent a 14 year old rape victim having an abortion. The injunction was granted by the High Court, but overturned by the Supreme Court on the grounds that the pregnancy was a risk to her health.
Harry Whelehan said later in an interview that it was his sense of duty to Ireland that made him take the case but that he regretted the sadness and hurt caused.
Arrest and extradition of Brendan Smyth
Harry Whelehan was Attorney GeneralAttorney General of Ireland
The Attorney General is a constitutional officer who is the official adviser to the Government of Ireland in matters of law. He is in effect the chief law officer in Ireland. The Attorney General is not a member of the Government but does participate in cabinet meetings when invited and attends...
during the subsequently controversial arrest and extradition of Father Brendan Smyth, and his appointment as President of the High Court by Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds
Albert Reynolds , served as Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...
in 1994 was opposed by the Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
due to the controversy. The appointment led to the downfall of the Labour-Fianna Fáil government, and Whelehan himself stepped down after 6 days in the new role.