Appointments to the District Court

The Government decided today to nominate the following persons for appointment by the President as judges of the District Court:

Mr. Olann Kelleher, Solicitor

Ms. Patricia McNamara, Solicitor

Ms. Catherine Staines, BL

The vacancies on the District Court resulted from the deaths last year of Judge James Scally and Judge Dympna Cusack as well as the retirement earlier this year of Judge Uinsin MacGruairc.

The Government will take the necessary steps to formally advise President McAleese of the nominations in accordance with Constitutional procedures.

30 March 2010.

Notes for Editors

Biographical Details

Mr. Olann Kelleher

Born 1953
Educated: University College Cork (BCL) 1974
Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors 1977
Member of the Munster rugby squad that beat the All Blacks 1978
Established Comyn Kelleher Tobin, Solicitors, 1982

Ms. Patricia McNamara

Born 1956
Educated: University College Cork (BCL) 1977
Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors Ireland 1983
Principal of Patricia McNamara & Co. 1989 to date
Member of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal

Ms. Catherine Staines

Born 1966
Educated: University College Dublin (BCL) 1986; Kings Inns (BL) 2003
Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors Ireland 1991
Called to the Bar of Ireland 2006