Nominations to the Court of Appeal, High Court and District Court

At its meeting yesterday, the Government nominated the Hon. Mr. Justice Denis McDonald and Mr. Anthony Collins, former Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Union, for appointment, by the President of Ireland, to the Court of Appeal.

The first vacancy in the Court of Appeal arose following the creation of an additional post in the Court of Appeal under the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2024. The second vacancy in the court arose due to appointment of the Hon. Ms. Justice Caroline Costello as the President of the Court of Appeal on 3 October 2024.

The Government also nominated Ms. Sara Phelan, SC for appointment by the President to the High Court. The vacancy in the High Court arose following the appointment of the Hon. Ms. Justice Niamh Hyland to the Court of Appeal on 3 October 2024.

The Government also decided to nominate Mr. Peter White, Solicitor, Ms. Catherine Ghent, Solicitor, and Ms. Áine Clancy, Solicitor and BL, for appointment by the President to the District Court. The three vacancies in the District Court arose following the retirement of Judge Cormac Dunne on 15 June 2024, the passing of Judge Elizabeth MacGrath on 3 July 2024 and the retirement of Judge Marian O'Leary on 30 August 2024.

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

ENDS

Note for Editors

• In accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government.

• The increase in the number of judges in the Court of Appeal is to maintain the number of judges available to sit in the Court while Ms Justice Power sits as the sole member of a Tribunal of Inquiry examining matters relating to the Defence Forces.

Limited biographical details:

The Hon. Mr. Justice Denis McDonald

• Appointed as a Judge of the High Court on 18 April 2018.

• Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King's Inns.

• Called to the Bar in 1986.

• Called to the Inner Bar in 2000.

• Chairperson of the Irish Takeover Panel, 2010-2018.

Former Advocate General Anthony Collins

• Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Union, 2021-2024.

• Judge of the General Court of the European Union, 2013 - 2021.

• Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King's Inns.

• Called to the Bar in 1986.

• Called to the Inner Bar in 2003.

• Référendaire, Court of Justice of the European Communities, 1990-1997.

Ms. Sara Phelan, SC

• Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King's Inns.

• Called to the Bar in 1996.

• Called to the Inner Bar in 2013.

• Chair of the General Council of the Bar of Ireland, 2022-2024.

• Chair of the Professional Practices Committee, 2020-2022.

• Chairperson of the Mental Health Tribunal, 2016-2022.

Mr. Peter White, Solicitor

• Educated at the University of Galway, London School of Economics and the Law Society of Ireland.

• Qualified as a Solicitor in 2003.

• Practiced primarily in public and extradition law.

Ms. Catherine Ghent, Solicitor

• Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Law Society of Ireland.

• Qualified as a Solicitor in 2004.

• Mainly practised in children's and family law.

• Lecturer at the Law Society of Ireland and the Honourable Society of King's Inns.

Ms. Áine Clancy, Solicitor and BL

• Educated at Trinity College Dublin, the Honourable Society of King's Inns and the Law Society of Ireland.

• Called to the Bar in 2001 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2009.

• Mainly practised in personal injuries and contract law.