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Two nominated to fill High Court vacancies

The Government has nominated Mark Dunne SC and Micheál O’Connell SC as ordinary judges of the High Court.

One nomination will fill a vacancy arising from the elevation of Mr Justice Alexander Owens to the Court of Appeal in September.

The anticipated second vacancy arises due to the scheduled retirement of Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring on 27 December.

Steps

The Government says that it has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Connolly of the nominations in accordance with constitutional practice, under which the president makes judicial appointments on the advice of the Government.

Educated at UCD and King’s Inns, Mark Dunne SC was called to the Bar in 1998 and the Inner Bar in 2019.

Micheál O’Connell SC was educated at Trinity College Dublin and King’s Inns. He was called to the Bar in 1999 and the Inner Bar in 2018.