How to Interpret the Irish Constitution: Tomas Heneghan v Minister for Housing

23 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2025

Date Written: January 01, 2024

Abstract

This paper explores the judgment of Murray J in the Tomas Heneghan case as it pertains to 'constitutional interpretation'. Specifically, it looks at how and why Murray J endorses the Henchy J 'harmonious' or 'spirit-based' approach, in apparent preference to the more 'formalist' or 'literalist' approach of O'Higgins CJ. 

Keywords: Constitutional Law, Judicial Review, Legal Theory, Interpretation

Suggested Citation

Hickey, Tom, How to Interpret the Irish Constitution: Tomas Heneghan v Minister for Housing (January 01, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5164534 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5164534

Tom Hickey (Contact Author)

Dublin City University ( email )

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
140
Abstract Views
302
Rank
438,580
PlumX Metrics