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Appointment to the Supreme Court and Circuit Court

At its meeting today, the Government agreed to nominate Séamus Woulfe S.C. for appointment as an Ordinary Judge of the Supreme Court by the President of Ireland.

The vacancy for an Ordinary Judge of the Supreme Court arose following the retirement of the Hon. Ms. Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan on 16 June 2019.

The nomination of Mr Woulfe follows a recommendation by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB), which is chaired by the Chief Justice.

The Government also agreed to nominate Mary Morrissey for appointment as an Ordinary Judge of the Circuit Court by the President of Ireland.

The vacancy in the Circuit Court arose following the passing of His Honour Judge John Hannan on 21 February 2020. The nomination of Ms Morrissey also follows a recommendation by JAAB.

The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nomination in accordance with constitutional practice. 

Note for Editors

• In accordance with articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government.

Limited biographical details:

Séamus Woulfe S.C.

Educated: Trinity College Dublin, Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Called to the bar: 1987

Called to the Inner Bar: 2005

Appointed as Attorney General in June 2017.

Mary Morrissey

Educated: National University of Ireland Galway, Law Society of Ireland. 

Qualified as a solicitor in 1999.

Part of the National Register of Mediators and International Mediation institute Accreditation with distinction in Medication January 2014.