In 2020, Flaherty was criticised for writing a letter to court on behalf of three men convicted of assault, with former justice minister Charles Flanagan stating it was "dangerous" for TDs to try to "influence judicial decisions". Flaherty said he regretted writing the letter.[3]
Flaherty is the managing director of a newspaper company. He is married to Niamh Donlon and they have three children.[1]