Civilian appointed as military judge

A CIVILIAN has for the first time been commissioned into the Irish Defence Forces to take up the position of military judge in a move that was made possible with the introduction of new legislation last year.

Col Michael Campion, a civilian solicitor before being commissioned last week, was sworn into his new role yesterday by the Judge Advocate General, Oonagh McCrann SC, in a ceremony at the Military Justice Centre in McKee Barracks, Dublin.

Minister for Justice and Defence Alan Shatter, said Col Campion’s experience in private legal practice, as well as his many years spent in the Reserve Defence Forces, meant he was ideally placed to fulfil his new role.

Educated at St Benildus College in Dublin, UCD, and the Law Society of Ireland, he became a solicitor in 1986 and had run a Dublin-based practice.

Since 2006 he has been a chairman of the Mental Health Tribunal and was also previously a member of the Criminal Legal Aid Panel.

A father of four, in his new role Col Campion will preside at courts martial and other judicial functions within the military system of justice.

His father, Col Ned Campion, is a former commanding officer of the Army Equitation School.

Col Campion snr was an international showjumper and chef d’equipe of the Irish showjumping team.

He was appointed following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service under the Defence (Amendment) Act 2011.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Shatter said Col Campion “will now bring particular skills and expertise gained in private practice to the role of military judge.

“His service as an officer in the Reserve Defence Force will also provide him with the essential background knowledge of military practices and law necessary to fulfil the role.”