14-780: The Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry , also known as the Beef Tribunal , was established on 31 May 1991, chaired by Mr. Justice Liam Hamilton . It was set up to inquire into malpractice in the Irish beef processing industry, mainly centred on Goodman International, owned and controlled by Larry Goodman . It also examined accusations of special dispensations given by the then Minister for Industry and Commerce, Albert Reynolds , to Goodman. The Tribunal began hearings on 21 June 1991 and it reported its conclusions in July 1994, at
28-517: A tribunal of inquiry established by the government in 1991 to investigate allegations of illegal activity, fraud and malpractice in the beef processing industry, known as the Beef Tribunal , which sat from 1991 to 1994. Shortly after the report of the tribunal, he was nominated as Chief Justice. In 1999, he was asked by Minister for Justice John O'Donoghue to investigate the Philip Sheedy Affair . On retirement as Chief Justice in 2000, he
42-515: The Labour Party formed a coalition government with Fine Gael in 1973, he was appointed a High Court judge. He was regarded as sociable and visited former legal colleagues after becoming a judge. In 1985, on the nomination of the Labour Party, he was appointed President of the High Court, where he was successful in reforming procedures and clearing a backlog of cases. He was the sole member of
56-507: The allegations made in the television programme and included the following: The Beef Tribunal concluded that tax evasion occurred at Goodman International and shone a light on widespread improper relationships between the beef industry, particularly Goodman, and the government. However, no criminal charges were brought, aside from the journalist Susan O'Keefe who was charged and acquitted for not revealing sources. Though not directly charged with wrongdoing, Albert Reynolds 's government
70-579: The beef processing industry made or referred to:-- (a) in Dáil Éireann, and (b) on a television programme transmitted by ITV on 13 May 1991; (ii) any matters connected with or relevant to the matters aforesaid which the Tribunal considers it necessary to investigate in connection with its inquiries into the matters mentioned at (i) above; and 2. making such recommendations (if any) as the Tribunal, having regard to its findings, thinks proper." The Tribunal came weeks after
84-535: The broadcast of a World in Action programme. The allegations made in Dáil Éireann covered many of the allegations made in the television programme and included the following: The Beef Tribunal concluded that tax evasion occurred at Goodman International and shone a light on widespread improper relationships between the beef industry, particularly Goodman, and the government. However, no criminal charges were brought, aside from
98-503: The journalist Susan O'Keefe who was charged and acquitted for not revealing sources. Though not directly charged with wrongdoing, Albert Reynolds 's government was ultimately brought down by the fallout of the Beef Tribunal. Ten years later, Fintan O'Toole commented that while a "shocking set of scandals" were uncovered (including the aforementioned tax evasion, fraud, and theft), "virtually nothing happened", eroding public trust in
112-399: The matters aforesaid which the Tribunal considers it necessary to investigate in connection with its inquiries into the matters mentioned at (i) above; and 2. making such recommendations (if any) as the Tribunal, having regard to its findings, thinks proper." The Tribunal came weeks after the broadcast of a World in Action programme. The allegations made in Dáil Éireann covered many of
126-589: The system. Liam Hamilton Liam Hamilton (8 September 1928 – 29 November 2000) was an Irish judge and barrister who served as Chief Justice of Ireland and a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1994 to 2000, President of the High Court from 1985 to 1994 and a Judge of the High Court from 1974 to 1994. He was born in Mitchelstown , County Cork , to Richard Hamilton and Mary Ellen Hamilton (née Lyons). He
140-463: The then Minister for Industry and Commerce, Albert Reynolds , to Goodman. The Tribunal began hearings on 21 June 1991 and it reported its conclusions in July 1994, at the time Ireland's longest-running inquiry. The Tribunal was established by the then Fianna Fáil / Progressive Democrats coalition, though only after the leader of the PDs, Des O'Malley threatened to pull out of the coalition if no inquiry
154-517: The time Ireland's longest-running inquiry. The Tribunal was established by the then Fianna Fáil / Progressive Democrats coalition, though only after the leader of the PDs, Des O'Malley threatened to pull out of the coalition if no inquiry was established. Taoiseach Charles Haughey acquiesced to the demand. The Tribunal was tasked with "inquiring into the following definite matters of urgent public importance: (i) allegations regarding illegal activities, fraud and malpractice in and in connection with
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#1732852137092168-569: Was appointed to the enquiry into the 1974 Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings , but stepped down on health grounds. He died on 29 November 2000. Beef Tribunal The Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry , also known as the Beef Tribunal , was established on 31 May 1991, chaired by Mr. Justice Liam Hamilton . It was set up to inquire into malpractice in the Irish beef processing industry, mainly centred on Goodman International, owned and controlled by Larry Goodman . It also examined accusations of special dispensations given by
182-556: Was educated at C.B.S. Mitchelstown , University College Dublin and King's Inns . He initially worked as a civil servant and was called to the Bar in 1956 and to the Inner Bar in 1968. As a barrister, he acted for Neil Blaney when Blaney and Charles Haughey were charged with conspiracy to import arms in 1970. He was a member of the Labour Party and acted as its legal advisor. After
196-460: Was established. Taoiseach Charles Haughey acquiesced to the demand. The Tribunal was tasked with "inquiring into the following definite matters of urgent public importance: (i) allegations regarding illegal activities, fraud and malpractice in and in connection with the beef processing industry made or referred to:-- (a) in Dáil Éireann, and (b) on a television programme transmitted by ITV on 13 May 1991; (ii) any matters connected with or relevant to
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