The new nominees are Edward Carroll, Paula Cullinane, Andrew Gubbins BL, Tom MacSharry, Mary McAveety, Darach McCarthy, Catriona Murray and Olivia Traynor.

They fill a number of vacancies arising from a resignation, three elevations to the Circuit Court, a retirement and three scheduled retirements.

Mr Carroll is a Cork-based solicitor who qualified in 1988 and has been partner in Noonan Linehan Carroll Coffey Solicitors since 1995. He completed his BCL and LLB in University College Cork and a further LLM in the University of Northumbria and Law Society of Ireland.

Ms Cullinane is a Dublin solicitor who qualified in 2005 and has been partner in O’Donnell Murray LLP since 2021. She obtained her BCL from University College Cork and holds diplomas in fmaily law and judicial skills and decision-making from the Law Society of Ireland.

Mr Gubbins is a barrister based in Tipperary, who called to the Bar in 2005. A graduate of University College Dublin and the King’s Inns, he is also an MII-accredited mediator.

Mr MacSharry qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and has been a sole practitioner in Sligo since then. He completed the advanced diploma in quasi-judicial decision-making at the King’s Inns in 2023.

Ms McAveety is the principal of McAveety McKenna Solicitors in Cavan, having qualified as a solicitor in 1996. She holds a BCL from University College Dublin and a diploma in judicial skills and decision-making from the Law Society of Ireland.

Mr McCarthy is the principal of Darach McCarthy and Co Solicitors in Limerick, having qualified in 2002. He studied business and legal studies at University College Dublin.

Ms Murray is a Wicklow solicitor who qualified in 1997 and has been partner in O’Brien Murray Solicitors LLP since 2006. She holds a BA and a diploma in arbitration from University College Dublin and a diploma in judicial skills and decision-making from the Law Society of Ireland.

Ms Traynor qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and has been a sole practitioner in Galway since 2012. She holds a BCL and LLB from University College Cork.

“The nominations for appointment to the District Court follows a process conducted by the Judicial Appointments Commission,” the Department of the Taoiseach said in a press statement.

“The government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Connolly of the nomination in accordance with constitutional practice.”