Appointments to the Circuit Court

At its meeting today, the government agreed to nominate Mr. Gerard Meehan, Senior Counsel, Ms. Jennifer O’Brien, Solicitor and Ms. Fiona O’Sullivan, Senior Counsel, as ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court for appointment by the President of Ireland.

These three additional posts in the Circuit Court were created under the Courts Act 2023, which provides for a statutory complement of the ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court to be increased by five, from 40 to 45.

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. Gerard Meehan, Senior Counsel

Educated at National University Ireland, Galway, 1998 and King’s Inns, 2004, University College Dublin, 2005 and Trinity College Dublin, 2008

Entered the Bar in 2004

Entered the Inner Bar in 2022

Appointed to the Ministerial Panel of Adjudicators under the Construction Contracts Act 2013 in 2021

Ms. Jennifer O’Brien, Solicitor

Educated at University College Dublin, 1994

Qualified as Solicitor in 1997

Lecturer for the Law Society of Ireland from 2005

Current board member of Blanchardstown and Inner City Home Care Association

Ms. Fiona O’Sullivan, Senior Counsel

Educated at Trinity College Dublin, 1997 and King’s Inns, 1999

Entered the Bar in 1999

Entered the Inner Bar in 2022

Appointed as Junior Counsel on the Magdalen Laundry Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme in 2018