merrion street

At its meeting today, the Government nominated The Hon. Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan for appointment by the President to the Supreme Court and nominated Mr David Barniville SC for appointment by the President to the High Court.

There are three vacancies in the Supreme Court arising from the untimely death of Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman in March 2016 and the retirements of Ms Justice Mary Laffoy in June 2017 and Mrs Justice Susan Denham in July 2017.

In addition, the Government agreed in principle to nominate The Hon. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan for appointment by the President to the Court of Appeal, once a vacancy arises in that Court following the elevation of The Hon. Ms Justice Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan to the Supreme Court. 

The vacancy in the High Court arose from the retirement of Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan on 2 October 2017.

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

The Government also agreed in principle to nominate Mr Michael MacGrath SC for appointment by the President to the High Court to fill the vacancy that will arise with the retirement of Mr Justice Henry Abbott on 18 December 2017.