Several judges applied for judicial post taken up by Máire Whelan

Several judges applied to fill the Court of Appeal vacancy which is set to be taken up by Attorney General Máire Whelan, The Irish Times reports.

Ms Whelan was nominated for the post at a Cabinet meeting earlier this week.

However, there has been disquiet over the way in which the appointment was made to a long-standing Cabinet member.

According to The Irish Times, at least three High Court judges wrote to the Attorney General indicating they would like to be appointed to the vacancy left by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to say whether Ms Whelan recused herself from the selection process.

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB) did not recommend any persons for appointment to fill the vacancy.