Appointment of Supreme Court Judges

On Friday 24 April, the Chief Justice along with members of the Supreme Court sat to witness Ms Justice Niamh Hyland and Mr Justice Brian O’Moore make their judicial declaration in accordance with Article 35 of the Constitution, following their appointment to the Supreme Court by President Connolly earlier in the week.  The Supreme Court was filled with family, friends and colleagues of the two newly appointed Judges to mark this special occasion.

Overseeing the declaration, the Chief Justice Mr Justice O’Donnell acknowledged that such occasions result in a large gathering of family, friends and well-wishers, but further highlighted the importance and significance of such an occasion to the curious passer-by.  Such declarations reaffirm the separation of powers as envisaged by the Constitution and therefore, form part of the mechanisms carefully set out in the Constitution to ensure the proper functioning of the State. 

The appointments of Ms Justice Hyland and Mr Justice O'Moore fill the vacancies which were created by the retirements of Ms Justice Dunne and Mr Justice Charleton respectively earlier this year.  Ms Justice Hyland was educated at Trinity College Dublin, Magdalen College, Oxford University, and the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, and was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1994.  She took silk in 2012 and was appointed to the High Court Bench in 2019.  Mr Justice O'Moore was educated at Trinity College Dublin and The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, and was called to the Bar in 1984.  He took silk in 1999 and was appointed to the High Court bench in 2019.  Both Ms Justice Hyland and Mr Justice O'Moore were Judges of the Court of Appeal immediately before their appointments, serving on the Court since 2024 and 2023 respectively.