March 15th, 1996: A speeding car driven by architect Philip Sheedy kills 36-year-old mother of two Mrs Anne Ryan as she is driving home with her children in Tallaght, Dublin. Sheedy is over the legal blood-alcohol limit and loses control at a round about.
June 11th, 1997: Sheedy is tried in Dublin Circuit (Criminal) Court. He pleads guilty to two of three charges: dangerous driving causing death, and driving while above the legal alcohol limit.
October 20th, 1997: The sentencing judge, Judge Joseph Matthews, and the trial judge, Judge Cyril Kelly, discuss the case by phone. Judge Kelly suggests a suspended sentence is appropriate. Judge Matthews disagrees and sentences Sheedy to four years' imprisonment, with review date of October 20th, 1999.
November 6th, 1997: Review date is dropped on foot of application from Sheedy's lawyers.
October 1998: According to his own account, Mr Justice O'Flaherty has "casual encounter" with a neighbour who is accompanied by a sister of Philip Sheedy. The Sheedy case is outlined to him and he advises them it has similarities with a case, DPP v McDonald, an appeal over which he has presided. He suggests it may be possible to have the case relisted.
Later in the same month, he inquires of county registrar about possibility of having case re-entered before the Circuit Court.
November 12th, 1998: The case comes before Judge Cyril Kelly, who suspends remainder of Sheedy's sentence, citing "grave concern" about the prisoner's mental condition. Psychological reports are referred to, which it later emerges date from December 1996 and April 1997, but detailed submissions are not required from Sheedy's legal representatives. Neither the DPP nor the Garda is represented in court.
In what the Chief Justice will find "a manifestly improper" suggestion, Judge Kelly subsequently meets counsel for Sheedy and comments that he should "consider obtaining an up-to-date medical report".
November 24th, 1998: Judge Kelly appointed to the High Court.
February 1999: A friend of the Ryan family sees Sheedy in Tallaght. Inquiries are made to the Garda, who are unaware of his release.
February 10th, 1999: Minister for Justice initiates investigation of case after Attorney General advises him of DPP's concerns. Attorney General discusses case with Chief Justice Liam Hamilton.
February 22nd, 1999: DPP applies for judicial review of decision to suspend sentence.
March 25th, 1999: Application listed in High Court, but Sheedy withdraws opposition and is voluntarily readmitted to prison. Mr Justice Hamilton resumes his inquiries into the case.
April 1st, 1999: Mr O'Donoghue makes statement on the matter in Dail.
April 6th, 1999: A day after returning from a trip to the US and a family holiday, Mr Justice O'Flaherty visits the Chief Justice to outline his position. Over the following week Mr Justice Hamilton interviews other protagonists.
April 15th, 1999: The Chief Justice presents report to Attorney General.
April 16th, 1999: Hamilton report discussed by Cabinet. The Government writes to both judges, underlining gravity of findings. Report is published.
April 17th, 1999: Mr Justice O'Flaherty resigns.