At its meeting today, the Government nominated Mr. Bernard Joseph Barton S.C., Ms. Deirdre Murphy S.C. and Mr. Brian Cregan S.C., for appointment by the President to the High Court.
The vacancies arise from the recent retirements from the High Court of the Hon. Mr. Justice John Cooke, the Hon. Mr. Justice Eamon de Valera and the Hon Ms. Justice Maureen Harding Clark.
The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.
12 March 2014
Note for Editors
The appointments follow the receipt of lists of suitable candidates from the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.
Biographical Details for Mr. Bernard Joseph Barton S.C.
§ Born: 1951
§ Educated: University College Dublin, Irish Management Institute and the King’s Inns
§ Called to the Bar: 1977
§ Called to the Inner Bar: 1997
§ Practices mainly in Tort and Contract Law and Personal Injury Litigation
§ Lectured in Equity Practice and Procedure Courses in the King’s Inns
Biographical Details for Ms. Deirdre Murphy S.C.
§ Born: 1953
§ Educated: St Patrick's College Maynooth, Trinity College Dublin and the King’s Inn.
§ Called to the Bar: 1979
§ Called to the Inner Bar: 1999
§ Practices mainly in Criminal Law, Judicial Review and Constitutional Law
§ Accredited Mediator
Biographical Details for Mr. Brian Cregan S.C.
§ Born: 1961
§ Educated: St. John’s College, Oxford and the King’s Inns
§ Called to the Bar: 1990
§ Called to the Inner Bar: 2004
§ Practices mainly in Commercial Law and Competition Law
§ Author of a law book entitled ‘Competition Law in Ireland: Digest and Commentary’: 1997
§ Lectured in the King’s Inns, Trinity College Dublin and Portobello College