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Appointments to the District Court
At its meeting today, the Government nominated Ms Marian O’Leary, Solicitor and Ms. Gráinne O’Neill, Solicitor for appointment by the President to the District Court.
The vacancies arise from the retirement from the District Court of Judge Clare Leonard on 14 October 2013 and the elevation to the Circuit Court of Her Hon. Judge Catherine Murphy on 8 December 2013.
The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.
15 April 2014
Note for Editors
The appointments follow the receipt of lists of suitable candidates from the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.
Biographical Details for Ms Marian O’Leary
§ Born: 1954
§ State Registered Nurse
§ Bachelor of Law & qualified as a solicitor in September 1995
§ Diploma in Family Law and Diploma in Property Tax
§ Practices in all area of law, specialising in family law, civil litigation, conveyancing and probate.
Biographical Details for Ms. Gráinne O’Neill
§ Born: 1971
§ Educated: University College Galway - Bachelor of Arts (1991) and Bachelor of Law (1995)
§ Qualified as a solicitor in 1999
§ Practices in all areas of law, specialising in criminal law, family law, civil litigation and employment law
§ Board member of the Athlone Rape Crisis Centre
§ Worked with Free Legal Advice Centres from 2000 to 2007 providing advice on legal matters, primarily in the areas of family law and civil actions.