Published on 

Appointments to the High and District Courts

Wednesday 8th May 2012

At its meeting today, the Government nominated two persons for appointment by the President to the High Court and three persons for appointment by the President to the District Court. 

Those nominated for appointment to the High Court are:

Paul McDermott S.C. and Iseult O'Malley S.C.

Those nominated for appointment to the District Court are:

Colin Daly, Solicitor, Mary Larkin, Solicitor and John O’Connor, Solicitor.

These nominations are in respect of vacancies which arose from a number of judicial retirements and promotions in the High and District Courts.

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

Ends

 

Government Press Office,Ph: 01 6194098,press.office@taosieach.gov.ie

 Note for Editors

The appointments follow receipt of lists of suitable candidates from the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. 

High Court nominees

Biographical details for Mr. Paul McDermott, S.C.

      Born: 1959

      Educated: University College Dublin and King’s Inns

      Called to the Bar: 1980

      Called to the Inner Bar: 1999

      Lecturer and External Examiner at King’s Inn

      Publications:

Prisoners’ Rights – a Study in Irish Prison Law

(1981) (with Raymond Byrne and Gerard Hogan); Consultant Editor of Martin McDonnell’s

Misuse of Drugs – Criminal Offences and Penalties

(2010);

      Practices primarily in criminal law but also has experience in family law, Judicial Review and arbitration.

      Chair of Expert Group to advise on Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights (2011 – date). 

Biographical Details for Ms. Iseult O’Malley S.C.

      Born 1964

      Educated at Trinity College Dublin and King’s Inns

      Called to the Bar: 1987

      Called to the Inner Bar: 2007

      Director and former Chairperson of the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC): 1985 to date

      Chairperson of the Refugee Agency 1993-1998

      Member of the Employment Appeals Tribunal 1995-1998, Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal 1995-1999

      ESB Rehab Person of the Year Award 2004 for work with FLAC

      Practices primarily in criminal law but also has experience in extradition, housing, immigration and Judicial Review

District Court Nominees

Biographical Details for Mr. Colin Daly, Solicitor

      Born: 1968

      Educated: Queens University, Belfast

      Admitted to Roll of Solicitors: 1997

      Managing Solicitor of Northside Community Law Centre, Dublin

      Director of Northside Partnership, Coolock

      Part time lecturer in Law in the Institute of Technology, Sligo: 2005 to date

      Chair of Limerick Law Centre Development Board 2011 to date

Biographical details for Ms. Mary Larkin, Solicitor

      Born: 1953

      Educated: University College Galway and The Law Society of Ireland

      Admitted to roll of Solicitors: 1976

      Principal and Managing Partner of Larkin Solicitors, Gort, Co. Galway

      Accredited Mediator: 2009

      Co – founder of Family Lawyers Mediation, Galway

Biographical details for Mr. John O’Connor, Solicitor

      Born: 1956

      Educated: University College Dublin and University College Galway

      Admitted to roll of Solicitors: 1980

      Principal and Managing Partner of John O’Connor, Solicitors, Dublin

      Council Member of the Law Society of Ireland: 1999 to date

      Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators: 2008

      Accredited Mediator: 2009