Ministers agreed the nominations last week, having made eight other nominations the week before — the first since the introduction of the new Judicial Appointments Commission.

Mr Justice Owens has served as a High Court judge since 2019.

Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the King’s Inns, he called to the bar in 1980 and took silk in 2000.

In his practice as a barrister, he specialised in criminal law as well as in local government, chancery and conveyancing.

Ms Browne is a well-known family lawyer who called to the bar in 1997.

Paul McCarthy SC, chairman of the Family Lawyers Association, said: “As chairman of the Family Lawyers Association, and on behalf of the executive committee and all our members, I wish to extend our warmest congratulations to Deirdre Browne BL on her appointment as judge of the Circuit Court.”