First judicial nominations under JAC system
The Government has nominated eight new members of the judiciary – the first to be announced since a new system of judicial appointments came into effect earlier this year.
After the establishment of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) on 1 January, only candidates recommended by the commission can be nominated by the Government for appointment by the President
One judicial nomination has been made to the High Court and six to the District Court. The Government has also made one nomination in principle to the District Court.
Sean Gillane SC has been nominated to fill a High Court vacancy that arose due to the elevation of Mr Justice Denis McDonald to the Court of Appeal in December last year.
Trio of solicitors nominated
Three solicitors are among the nominations to the District Court: Galway-based Valerie Corcoran; Kerry-based Liz Healy, who is managing solicitor at Tralee Law Centre; and Catherine Ryan, who is managing solicitor at the Legal Aid Board Limerick.
The full list of District Court nominations, which arose due to five retirements and the death of Judge Marie Quirke earlier this year, is:
- Valerie Corcoran (solicitor),
- Emile Daly BL,
- Karen Dowling BL,
- Liz Healy (solicitor),
- Catherine Ryan (solicitor), and
- Áine Shannon BL.
The Government has also nominated Derek Cooney BL in principle to the District Court. There is one pending vacancy in the court due to an upcoming retirement of Judge Mary Cashin on 24 July.