Longford solicitor appointed as District Court Judge
A Longford solicitor has been appointed as a District Court Judge.
Michael Connellan, who since 2019, has been General Manager Solicitor with Tusla - Child and Family Agency, specialising in the area of Child Law, was nominated for appointment by the Government today.
Educated at University of Wales, Michael qualified as a Solicitor in 2000 and he follows in the footsteps of his father, Michael Connellan Snr, who was appointed to serve as a Judge, presiding from 1994 to 2005, having previously served as State Solicitor in Longford from August 1963.
A passionate rugby and soccer supporter, Michael Connellan Jnr was Longford Town Football Club Vice Chairperson from 2006 to 2016 and he was President of the Longford Rugby Football Club and is the current Club Chairperson.
He was a Fianna Fáil councillor, sitting on Longford Urban District Council, from 2007 to 2014, and in doing so he followed in the footsteps of his late mother Paddie Connellan.
An accomplished golfer, Paddie was elected to Longford UDC in 2004 and she also sat on the national executive of the FF party.
At its meeting today, the Government agreed to nominate the Hon Mr Justice Brian O’Moore, a Judge of the High Court, as an Ordinary Judge of the Court of Appeal.
The Government also agreed to nominate Ms Nicola Jane Andrews, Barrister; Ms Monika Leech, Barrister; Ms Stephanie Coggans, Solicitor; Ms Fiona Brennan, Solicitor; Ms Catherine Hayden, Solicitor; Mr Philip O’Leary, Solicitor; Mr Michael Ramsey, Barrister; Mr Adrian Harris, Solicitor; Mr William Aylmer, Solicitor; and Mr Michael Jnr Connellan, Solicitor, as Ordinary Judges of the District Court.
The vacancy in the Court of Appeal arose following the appointment of the Hon. Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly to the Supreme Court on 2 June 2023.
Eight of the ten nominations to the District Court arose because of the Government’s investment in additional judges following the work of the Judicial Planning Working Group.
These eight judicial positions are the latest posts to be created as a result of the Government’s commitment to invest in the justice sector and will see the number of District Court Judges increase from 63 to 71. Two judicial vacancies arose due to the retirement of Judge Mary Emer Larkin on May 21 and Judge Dermot Simms on May 29 of 2023.
The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nomination in accordance with constitutional practice.