After yesterdays meeting, the Government nominated Judge Catherine A. Murphy for appointment by the President to the Circuit Court and Ms. Deirdre Gearty, Solicitor for appointment by the President to the District Court.
The vacancies arise from the retirement of His Hon. Judge Patrick Moran from the Circuit Court and the retirement of Judge Patrick McMahon from the District Court.
The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.
13 November 2013
Note for Editors
The appointment to the District Court follows receipt of a list of suitable candidates from the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.
In respect of the appointment to the Circuit Court, Section 17 of the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995 provides that where the Government proposes to advise the President to appoint to judicial office a person who is…a judge of the…District Court…the provisions of section 16 of this Act (which relate to the provision by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board of a list of suitable nominees) shall not apply.
Biographical Details for Judge Catherine A. Murphy
· Born: 1951
· Educated: UCD and the Law Society of Ireland
· Enrolled as a Solicitor: 1973
· Partner in the firm of J. G. O’Connor and Co. Dublin: 1981 - 1994
· Practised mainly in the areas of Property, Commercial Law, Commercial Litigation, Insolvency and Employment.
· Judge of the District Court with experience in the Civil Court, Family Law Court, Child Care Court, Drugs Court, Juvenile Criminal Court and Criminal Court: 1996 to date
· Member of the Building Committee of the Courts Service Board: 2004 – 2011
· Member of the Project Board for the construction of the Criminal Courts of Justice: 2006 – 2010.
Biographical Details for Ms. Deirdre Gearty, Solicitor,
· Born: 1960
· Educated: UCD and the Law Society of Ireland
· Enrolled as a Solicitor: 1983
· Accredited mediator: 2010
· Practised as a solicitor with F. J. Gearty & Co., Longford: 1983 to date
· Member of the Free Legal Aid Centre: 1995 to date
· Chairperson of the of the Board of Management of St. Brigid’s FAS Training Centre, Ardagh, Co. Longford: 1997 to 2010
· Member and Chairperson of the Board of Management of Scoil Mhuire, National School, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford: 2001 to date
· Practises mainly in Family Law, Litigation, Probate and Conveyancing