Government nominates appointments to the High Court

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is pleased to announce that the Government agreed to nominate Mr. Mark Dunne, SC and Mr. Micheál O’Connell, SC as Ordinary Judges of the High Court.

One nomination will fill a current vacancy and the second nomination is contingent upon a vacancy arising on 27 December 2025.

The current vacancy arises due to the elevation of the Hon. Mr. Justice Alexander Owens to the Court of Appeal on 29 September 2025.

The reasonably anticipated second vacancy arises due to the scheduled retirement of Judge Mary Ellen Ring on 27 December 2025.

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

Note for Editors

• 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:

Mr. Mark Dunne, SC

• Educated at University College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
• Called to the Bar in 1998.
• Called to the Inner Bar in 2019.
• Legal practice mostly included Administrative Law, Commercial/Chancery, Dispute Resolution, General Common Law, Judicial Review and Tort & Personal Injury Law.

Mr. Micheál O’Connell, SC

• Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
• Called to the Bar in 1999.
• Called to the Inner Bar in 2018.
• Legal practice mostly included Commercial/Chancery, General Practice, Conveyancing & Property Law.