At its meeting today, the Government nominated two persons for appointment by the President to the High Court and two persons for appointment by the President to the District Court.
Those nominated for appointment to the High Court are: Anthony Barr S.C. and David Keane S.C. The vacancies arise from the retirements from the High Court of the Hon. Mr. Justice Daniel O’Keeffe and the Hon. Mr. Justice Roderick Murphy.
Those nominated for appointment to the District Court are: Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin B.L. and James Faughnan, Solicitor. The vacancies arise from the retirement from the District Court of Judge Mary O’Halloran and the resignation of Ms. Heather Perrin.
The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.
19 June 2013
Note for Editors
The appointments follow receipt of lists of suitable candidates from the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.
Biographical Details for Mr. Anthony Barr, S.C.
Born: 1961
Educated: UCD and King’s Inns
Called to the Bar: 1985
Called to the Inner Bar: 2004
Counsel to the Morris Tribunal 2002 – 2008
Currently Vice Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Irish Branch
Accredited mediator with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR)
Practises primarily in personal injury law, commercial law and arbitration.
Biographical Details for Mr. David Keane, S.C.,
Born: 1964
Educated: Trinity College, Incorporated Law Society, UCD and Kings Inns
Solicitor 1992; Called to the Bar 1998
Called to the Inner Bar: 2009
Accredited Mediator
Nominated by the Government as one of three persons for election of Irish judge to the European Court of Human Rights by the Parliament of the Council of Europe 2007
Practised as a solicitor with Garrett Sheehan & Co., Solicitors 1992-97; Chief State Solicitor’s Office 1997-98
Practises as a Senior Counsel mainly in criminal law, civil litigation and administrative law.
Biographical Details for Ms. Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin, B.L.
Born: 1966
Educated: UCD and the Kings Inns
Called to the Bar: 1989
Accredited Mediator
Editor of the Irish Reports since 1997
Member of the Mental Health Tribunal: 2006 to date
Practises mainly in family law and civil litigation
Biographical Details for Mr. James Faughnan, Solicitor
Born 1972
Educated: Letterkenny Institute of Technology, University College Cork and Law Society of Ireland
Enrolled as a Solicitor: 1999
Partner in Cathal L. Flynn & Co. Solicitors: March 2001 to date
Practises mainly in litigation and conveyancing