Latest appointments bring Court of Appeal to gender parity

The pair were appointed by President Michael D. Higgins yesterday after their nomination by the Government early last month.

Garret Simons SC was also appointed to the High Court following his nomination a week beforehand.

Welcoming the appointments, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “I am delighted that the Government agreed to put forward these judges for appointment to the Court of Appeal and the High Court and I wish them well in their new roles.

“I am particularly delighted that today’s appointment of Ms Justice Caroline Costello and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy to the Court of Appeal brings about a situation where we now have a 50/50 gender balance in that court.”

There have been 49 judicial appointments since 2016: 14 in 2016, 16 in 2017 and 19 in 2018 so far.

Mr Flanagan said: “The Government is committed to ensuring access to justice including through providing sufficient judicial resources and I note the good progress made in the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill which is currently at Committee Stage in the Seanad.”