Síofra O'Leary is Ireland's CJEU nominee
The Government has decided to nominate Dr Síofra O’Leary for appointment as a judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
The second term of office of Mr Justice Eugene Regan, Ireland’s current appointee to the court, will come to an end on 6 October 2027.
Dr O'Leary was president of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) from November 2022 to July 2024, having served as a judge at the court since July 2015.
Before joining the ECtHR, she worked for almost two decades at the CJEU in both judicial and administrative capacities.
Six-year term
A Government statement said that the nomination, on the recommendation of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan, had been made in accordance with the process set out in the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2024.
CJEU judges are appointed by governments of the member states for a six-year term.
Dr O’Leary will be presented to a panel established under article 255 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The panel assesses candidates' suitability to perform the duties of judge of the Court of Justice before member states' representatives decide on the appointment.