This is now a complete mess. No Irish judge has ever been impeached. The only time the process was attempted, the allegation related to criminal behaviour (possession of child pornography). /1 https://twitter.com/marktigheST/status/1325908360902930432

It is equally absolutely untenable that Woulfe could continue on the court in circumstances where the Chief Justice and colleagues have publicly asked him to resign. A collegiate court can't function without good personal relationships. /2

A similar case - relating to Mr Justice Hugh O'Flaherty - did result in resignation, but this related to inappropriate conduct in O'Flaherty's judicial role (the Philip Sheedy affair) *and* needed special legislation to be passed by the Oireachtas to provide for a pension /3

If Woulfe resigns now he will have no pension and won't be able to return to the bar. It's not surprising that he's digging in. (Although note that in 1994 Harry Whelehan was given special permission to return to the bar when he resigned from the judiciary after 6 days). /4

Woulfe has not covered himself in glory in this process, and the Chief Justice's letter is a well-balanced explanation of precisely why that is. He hasn't shown the judgment or humility that the matter required. Approaching it legalistically was not appropriate. /5

But it is a big deal for the judiciary to set up a disciplinary process and then ignore the recommendations of that process. Woulfe may not be a sympathetic character in all of this, but he may have some legitimate reason for complaint. /6

In short: a mess. /end