The Government has nominated Mr Justice Hugh Geoghegan to the Supreme Court to replace Mr Justice Donal Barrington who retired on February 19th. Mr Justice Geoghegan, who was born in 1938 has been a judge of the High Court since the end of 1992. His father also served as a Supreme Court judge.
Mr Justice Geoghegan was called to the Bar in 1962 and became a senior counsel in 1977. He is also a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland and the Bar of England and Wales. He practised on the midlands circuit and in Dublin.
He served as Public Service Arbitrator from 1982 to 1992, delivering determinations on pay-related issues from groups including teachers, gardai and local authorities staff.
Mr Justice Geoghegan is married to senior counsel Ms Mary Finlay. They have two daughters and one son.
The Cabinet at its meeting yesterday also decided to appoint Mr Justice Declan Budd as President of the Law Reform Commission for a five-year term. A judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Budd succeeds Mr Justice Vivian Lavan who has returned to the High Court.