Appointments to the High Court

The Government has agreed to nominate Judge Karen O’Connor, Siobhan Phelan, S.C. and Conor Dignam, S.C., for appointment as Ordinary Judges of the High Court by the President of Ireland.

The first vacancy arose following the appointment of the Hon. Mr. Justice David Barniville to the Court of Appeal on 30 August 2021.

The second vacancy arose following the retirement of the Hon. Mr. Justice Michael White on 1 October 2021.

The third vacancy arose following the retirement of the Hon. Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon on 13 November 2021.

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

ENDS

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:

Judge Karen O’Connor:

Educated at: Trinity College Dublin, Honourable Society of Kings Inns

Appointed to the Bar: 1993

Appointed to the Bench: 2014

Appointed to Circuit Court: 27/11/2014.

Assigned to Dublin Circuit: 05/12/2017.

Siobhan Phelan, S.C.:

Educated at: LL.B Trinity College, Dublin (1992) including ERASMUS Programme at Universite de Paris II, Paris (1990-1991). LL. M McGill University, Montreal, Canada (1994). B.L. Barrister at Law, Honourable Society of Kings Inns (1995)

Appointed to the Bar: 1995

Appointed to the Inner Bar: 2015

Conor Dignam, S.C.:

Educated at: BA Mod. In Political Science, Trinity College, Dublin, 1992. Diploma in Legal Studies, Kings Inns, July, 1994. Degree of Barrister-at-Law, Kings Inns, July, 1996.

Appointed to the Bar: 1996

Appointed to the Inner Bar: 2011