The High Court has two new judges, both women

SIX JUDGES DESIGNATE have been appointed to the new Court of Appeal while two new judges have been appointed to the High Court.

Another has nominated to take over a vacancy due to occur later this year.

Caroline Costello SC and Aileen Donnelly SC will fill two vacancies left in the court by the retirement of Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neil, while Justice Peter Charleton moved to the Supreme Court.

There are currently seven female High Court judges out of 34.

Costello recently advised the Oireachtas Committee on Procedure and Privileges on whether PAC could compel witnesses to appear before it.

She was called to the Bar in 1988, and has experience in areas such as commercial, banking, insolvency, property and probate.

Donnelly was also called to the Bar in 1988, with experience in criminal, extradition, judicial review, constitutional and tort law, and has contributed to a range of publications.

Seamus Noonan SC has been nominated to fill a vacancy that will arise in September with the retirement of Justice Barry White.

Welcome

Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns President of the High Court said, ”I would like today to extend congratulations on my own behalf and on behalf of the other judges of the High Court to the six judges designated for appointment to the Court of Appeal.

I also wish them every success as, together with Mr Justice Sean Ryan, they embark on the important work of the Court of Appeal in the months ahead. The High Court will do everything in its power to support and facilitate the operation of the new court.

Chief Justice Susan Denham also welcomed the appointments.

She said, “that people have access to justice in ready forms of appeal, is a must in a democratic society.

That there is a continuing demand can be seen by the numbers – the sheer volume – of appeal work which comes before our Supreme Court. It amounts to many multiples of appeal numbers heard in other jurisdictions.

“I welcome the progression towards the establishment of the Court of Appeal later this year. Now that the required legislation is in place, and a President and Judges designate have been nominated, work can carry on with the very real and practical plans to establish this new landmark court”.

Serving Judges 

The Government also announced a number of serving judges of the High Court as Judges designate of the Court of Appeal:

• Justice George Birmingham
• Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan
• Justice Gerard Hogan
• Justice Mary Irvine
• Justice Peter Kelly
• Justice Michael Peart.

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