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Nomination of a Judge of the Court of Appeal, a President of the Circuit Court and a President of the District Court

At its meeting today, the Government nominated The Hon Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly, a Judge of the High Court for appointment by the President to the Court of Appeal.

The vacancy in the Court of Appeal arose following the appointment of the Hon Ms Justice Mary Irvine to the Supreme Court on 13 May 2019.

The Government also decided to nominate Her Hon Judge Patricia Ryan, a Judge of the Circuit Court, for appointment by the President as President of the Circuit Court and Judge Colin Daly, a Judge of the District Court, for appointment by the President as President of the District Court.

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

Note for Editors

Section 17 of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995 provides that where the Government proposes to advise the President to appoint a serving Judge, the provisions of Section 16 do not apply (i.e. the submission of names of suitable candidates by JAAB).

Limited biographical details:

The Hon Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly, Judge of the High Court

  • Appointed as a Judge of the High Court on 22 September 2014
  • Educated: University College Dublin, the Honourable Society of King’s Inns
  • Called to the Bar: 1988
  • Called to the Inner Bar: 2004

Her Honour Judge Patricia Ryan, Judge of the Circuit Court

  • Appointed to the Circuit Court 1 July 2002
  • Educated: University College Dublin, the Honourable Society of King’s Inns
  • Called to the Bar: 1984 

Judge Colin Daly, Judge of the District Court

  • Appointed to the District Court on 15 June 2012
  • Assigned to District 22 (Carlow/Kilkenny) on 3 February 2015
  • Educated: Queens University, Belfast
  • Admitted to Roll of Solicitors: 1997