Appointments to the Court of Appeal and the District Court

At its meeting today, the government agreed to nominate the Hon. Mr. Justice Brian O’Moore, a Judge of the High Court, as an Ordinary Judge of the Court of Appeal.

The government also agreed to nominate Ms. Nicola Jane Andrews, Barrister; Ms. Monika Leech, Barrister; Ms. Stephanie Coggans, Solicitor; Ms. Fiona Brennan, Solicitor; Ms. Catherine Hayden, Solicitor; Mr. Philip O’Leary, Solicitor; Mr. Michael Ramsey, Barrister; Mr. Adrian Harris, Solicitor; Mr. William Aylmer, Solicitor; and Mr. Michael Jnr Connellan, Solicitor, as Ordinary Judges of the District Court.

The vacancy in the Court of Appeal arose following the appointment of the Hon. Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly to the Supreme Court on 2 June 2023.

Eight of the ten nominations to the District Court arose because of the government’s investment in additional judges following the work of the Judicial Planning Working Group.

These eight judicial positions are the latest posts to be created as a result of the government’s commitment to invest in the justice sector and will see the number of District Court Judges increase from 63 to 71. Two judicial vacancies arose due to the retirement of Judge Mary Emer Larkin on May 21 and Judge Dermot Simms on May 29 of 2023.

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

The Hon. Mr. Justice Brian O’Moore

Educated at Trinity College Dublin

Called to the Bar in 1984

Called to the Inner Bar in 1999

Appointed as a Judge of the High Court on 02/12/2019

Ms. Nicola Jane Andrews, Barrister

Educated at University College Dublin, 2000 and Honourable Society of Kings Inns, 2004

Called to the Bar in 2004

Self Employed as Junior Counsel

Ms. Monika Leech, Barrister

Educated at University College Dublin, 1988, Law Society of Ireland, 1991 and Honourable Society of Kings Inns, 1999

Qualified as Solicitor in 1992

Called to the Bar in 1999

Member of the Bar of Ireland Afghan Judge Support Group

Ms. Stephanie Coggans, Solicitor

Educated at Trinity College Dublin, 1985 and Law Society of Ireland, 1992

Qualified as Solicitor in 1992

Managing Solicitor at Monaghan Law Centre, Legal Aid Board

Ms. Fiona Brennan, Solicitor

Educated at University of Galway, 1988 and 1990

Qualified as Solicitor in 1993

Self Employed Sole Practitioner in Criminal Law

Ms. Catherine Hayden, Solicitor

Educated at Trinity College Dublin, 1998 and Law Society of Ireland 2006

Qualified as Solicitor in 2006

Senior Associate Litigation and Dispute Resolution at A&L Goodbody LLP

Mr. Philip O’Leary, Solicitor

Educated at University College Cork, 1982 and 1985 and Law Society of Ireland 1983 and 1985

Qualified as Solicitor in 1985

Chairperson at Property Services Appeal Board

Mr. Michael Ramsey, Barrister

Educated at Queens University Belfast, 1986, Salve Regina University in USA, 1990 and Honourable Society of Kings Inns, 1995

Called to the Bar in 1995

Member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal

Appointed to panel of Junior Counsel at the office of the Attorney General

Mr. Adrian Harris, Solicitor

Educated at University College Galway, 1992 and 1994

Qualified as Solicitor in 1997

Senior Associate Solicitor at Padhraic Harris and Co. Solicitors

Mr. William Aylmer, Solicitor

Educated at University College Dublin, 1990

Qualified as Solicitor in 1994

External tutor and lecturer at the Law Society

Legal Assessor at PPC and FTP Committees, PHECC, Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council

Mr. Michael Jnr Connellan, Solicitor

Educated at University of Wales, 1995

Qualified as Solicitor in 2000

General Manager, Solicitor at the Child and Family Agency