Appointments to the Court of Appeal and Circuit Court - 8 May 2024

At its meeting yesterday, the government agreed to nominate the Hon Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, as Ordinary Judge of the Court of Appeal, as well as Mr Ronan Munro, Senior Counsel, and Ms Catherine White, Barrister, as Ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court.

The Court of Appeal vacancy arose following the retirement of the Hon Mr Justice Robert Haughton on 9 April 2024.

The first vacancy in the Circuit Court arose following the retirement of Her Honour Judge Rosemary Horgan on 3 December 2023.

The second vacancy in the Circuit Court arose following the resignation of former judge Gerard O’Brien on 5 January 2024.

The government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nomination in accordance with constitutional practice.

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.

Limited biographical details below.

The Hon Mr Justice Michael MacGrath

• educated at University College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1984 and called to the Inner Bar in 2000
• appointed as a Judge of the High Court on 23 January 2018
• appointed as a Judge of the Special Criminal Courts on 15 September 2020

Mr Ronan Munro, Senior Counsel

• educated at University College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1995 and Called to the Inner Bar in 2016
• practises mainly in administrative law and matters affecting personal liberty as well as wardship jurisdiction, assisted decision making and personal injury
• elected Member of the Council of the Bar of Ireland since 2023
• Member of Criminal State Bar Committee since 2023
• Member of Central Criminal Court Users’ Group since January 2024

Ms Catherine White, Barrister

• educated at University College Cork and C.E.D.R London
• called to the Bar in 1988
• practises primarily in family law as well as in constitutional, contract and probate law
• provided legal advice through the Free Legal Advice Centre (1986 – 2005) and the Women’s Refuge Centre Rathmines (1988 – 1993)
• part-time lecturer in family and contract law at the Law Society (1988-1998) and the Portobello Institute (1988 – 1995)
• elected member of the Council of The Bar of Ireland since 2022
• C.E.D.R accredited Mediator