merrion street

At its meeting today, the Government nominated Ms. Eileen Creedon, Solicitor and Mr. Charles Meenan, Senior Counsel for appointment by the President to the High Court. The Government also nominated Mr. Patrick Quinn, Senior Counsel for appointment by the President to the Circuit Court and Ms. Mary Dorgan, Solicitor for appointment by the President to the District Court.

The vacancies in the High Court arise from the retirement of the Hon. Mr. Justice Raymond Fullam on 11 March 2017 and the resignation of the Hon. Mr. Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh on 24 April 2017 who was appointed a Judge of the
General Court of the European Union.

The vacancy in the Circuit Court arises from the retirement of His Hon. Judge Barry Hickson on 11 March 2017 and the vacancy in the District Court arises from the retirement of Judge William Hamill on 18 March 2017.

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

In addition, the Government today agreed, in principle, to nominate Ms Martina Baxter, Barrister and Mr Eoin Garavan, Barrister for appointment by the President to the Circuit Court, once vacancies arise in that Court following the respective retirements of Judge John O’Hagan on 26 August 2017 and Judge David Riordan on 1 October 2017. The Government also, agreed in principle, to nominate Mr Brian O'Shea, Barrister for appointment by the President to the District Court, once the vacancy arises in that Court following the retirement of Judge Aeneas McCarthy on 16 June 2017.

Formal nominations by Government will be required once the pending vacancies in the Circuit and District Court have arisen.