His popularity was short-lived.

The present Chief Justice, Doherty, was then Attorney-General.

He incurred the wrath of Mr.O'Connell in consequence of treachery which he had exhibited in conducting a trial at Clonmel.

This led to a fierce encounter in the House of Commons--the first great trial of Mr.O'Connell's powers--in which Doherty's friends claimed for their champion a decisive victory.
However unjust may be that judgment, Mr.O'Connell's admirers were compelled to admit that he failed in his impeachment and principally in consequence of a letter written by Mr.Shiel, then second to no other Irishman.

Mr.Shiel had been associated with the Attorney-General in the prosecution at Clonmel, and his letter boldly justified the conduct which the great popular tribune vehemently and indignantly impugned.
This was quite unexpected, and greatly affected Mr.O'Connell's cause.
But whether Mr.Doherty failed or succeeded, he was rewarded, and almost avowedly, by the Chief Justiceship of the Common Pleas.