Úna Ní Raifeartaigh nominated as High Court judge

Barrister was the highest earner from State cases last year, earning €357,000

Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC: nominated to become a High Court judge. Photograph: David Sleator
Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC: nominated to become a High Court judge. Photograph: David Sleator

The Government has nominated Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC for appointment as a High Court judge.

Ms Ní Raifeartaigh is one of the State’s most high-profile prosecutors and has worked on a range of cases for the DPP. She was paid €357,002 by the State last year, the most of any senior counsel.

The Government also agreed to nominate Paul Coffey SC for appointment to the High Court.

The two vacancies were created following the enactment of the Courts Act 2015, which increased the number of ordinary judges of the High Court, from 35 to 37.

Separately, sitting High Court judge John Hedigan has been nominated for appointment to the Court of Appeal. The vacancy arose following the appointment of Peter Kelly as president of the High Court last year.

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Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter