Government agrees to the nomination in principle to the role of President of the Court of Appeal
- Published on: 16 July 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
At its meeting today, the Government agreed to nominate the Hon. Ms. Justice Caroline Costello, Judge of the Court of Appeal, as President of the Court of Appeal.
The vacancy in the Court of Appeal will arise due to the forthcoming retirement of the current President, the Hon. Mr. Justice George Birmingham, on 4th August 2024.
The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nomination in accordance with constitutional practice.
Welcoming the nomination, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said:
“Ms. Justice Costello is an experienced Judge of the Court of Appeal, with valuable expertise across all areas of law. I would like to congratulate Ms. Justice Costello and wish her every success in her new role.”
Paying tribute to the retiring President, Minister McEntee added:
"I would also like to thank Mr. Justice Birmingham for his many years of distinguished service and wish him well.”
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.
Biographical details:
The Hon. Ms. Justice Caroline Costello
- Educated at University College Dublin, University of Oxford and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
- Called to the Bar in 1988.
- Called to the Inner Bar in 2010.
- Appointed as a Judge of the High Court in 2014.
- Appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal in 2018.
- Publications: The Four Courts: 200 Years (editor), Four Courts Press, 1996.
ENDS