One of the three new Circuit Court judges appointed this week is Donegal-born Yvonne Murphy, a practising barrister, co-editor of the Law Report which appears in The Irish Times each Monday and author of Journalists And The Law and Insider Dealing In Ireland.
Indeed, rarely has a judge had such a wealth of life experience. Murphy has worked as an air hostess, RTE journalist, civil servant, editor of an industrial relations magazine, and special adviser to the former Labour Tanaiste, Michael O'Leary.
Since qualifying as a barrister, she has practised on the Northern circuit. She is married to SC Adrian Hardiman.
The selection of new judges was made by the Cabinet on Tuesday morning from a list submitted by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, to which all aspirants must now apply. Until two years ago, judges were chosen following soundings around the Law Library, general suitability and acceptability, lobbying, and finally and most importantly, through political influence.
There is speculation, however, that the new system may have to be changed, if not abandoned, because (a) some suitable persons are reluctant to apply for interview in case they are turned down; and (b) news of their application could leak to the media, (as recently occurred when the former AG Harry Whelehan sought the High Court bench), and lead to gossip and speculation in the Library.