The Government has agreed to nominate Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly (pictured), currently a judge of the Court of Appeal, as an ordinary judge of the Supreme Court.

At a Cabinet meeting yesterday (23 May), ministers also agreed to nominate two High Court judges − Mr Justice Charles Meenan and Ms Justice Tara Burns − to the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court vacancy arose after the retirement of the Mr Justice John MacMenamin on 25 November 2022.

The two additional posts in the Court of Appeal were created under the Courts Act 2023, which provides for the statutory complement of the court’s ordinary judges to be increased from 15 to 17.

The Government has advised President Higgins of the nominations, in accordance with constitutional practice. The President, acting on the Government’s advice, makes judicial appointments.

The nominated judges

Ms Justice Donnelly was appointed as a judge of the High Court in 2014, and went to the Court of Appeal in 2018.

Educated at UCD and King’s Inns, she was called to the Bar in 1988, and called to the Inner Bar in 2004.

Mr Justice Meenan was educated at UCD and King’s Inns, and was called to the Bar in 1980, and called to the Inner Bar in 1998.

He became a High Court judge in 2017.

Ms Justice Tara Burns was also educated at UCD and King’s Inns. She was called to the Bar in 1995, and called to the Inner Bar in 2013.

She was appointed to the High Court in 2018, and is currently President of the Association of Judges of Ireland.