Appointments to the High Court and the Circuit Court

At its meeting today, the government agreed to nominate Mr. Rory Mulcahy, Senior Counsel, as an ordinary judge of the High Court.

The government also agreed to appoint Ms. Sinead Behan, Barrister, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, Senior Counsel, and Mr. Dermot Sheehan, Barrister, as ordinary judges of the Circuit Court for appointment by the President of Ireland.

The High Court vacancy arose following the retirement of the Hon. Ms. Justice Deirdre Murphy on 02/03/2023.

The three vacancies of ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court arose following the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act, 2022.

This Act provides for the statutory complement of the Ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court to be increased by three, from 37 to 40.

The government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations 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

Mr. Rory Mulcahy

• educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Queen's University, Belfast and King’s Inns
• entered the Bar in 1998
• entered the Inner Bar in 2014
• Panel Member of the Dispute Resolution Authority 2005 – present

Ms. Sinead Behan

• educated at University College Cork and King’s Inns
• entered the Bar in 2006
• Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal 1999 – 2006
• Appointed Prosecutor for the DPP in 2019

Dr. Geoffrey Shannon

• educated at NUI, Galway and University College Dublin
• qualified as a Solicitor in 1996
• entered the Inner Bar in 2020
• Chairperson of the Adoption Authority of Ireland 2007 – 2020
• Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for the Irish Government 2006 – 2019

Mr. Dermot Sheehan

• educated at University College Cork and King’s Inns
• entered the Bar in 1986
• Vice-Chair of the Employment Appeal Tribunal 1996 – 1998