[1] He was visiting fellow at Harvard University in the United States,[1] and was considered a candidate for the Supreme Court of Ireland.
[5][6] In January 2006, he told the Health Service Executive to repay €48 million in alleged illegal fees it received from nursing home residents.
[7][8][9] He was embroiled in the "Mr A" case which unexpectedly overturned the state's age-of-consent law, but an official report blamed a subordinate for not notifying him in advance of the hearing.
[10][11] He resigned as Attorney General in 2007, in what was considered a surprise move,[1] becoming a barrister again,[1] and receiving a golden parachute package of what was reported to be either €87,000[12] or more than €200,000.
[16] Taoiseach Brian Cowen called him one of the "finest and most able barristers of his time", while Bertie Ahern said he was "a great Dubliner who had a strong affinity with his native city" and that he was his "closest and most trusted colleague at the cabinet table.