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Solicitors appointed as sheriffs by Justice minister

Solicitors have stepped into permanent roles as Dublin City Sheriff, Revenue Sheriff for Sligo and Roscommon, and Revenue Sheriff for Kildare and Carlow.

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan congratulated Joseph Burke, David Kelly and Alice Lanigan who have taken up positions as Dublin City Sheriff, and as Revenue Sheriffs respectively.

Distinction

He said he was confident the trio would carry out their roles with distinction.

He thanked current incumbents James Barry, John Kelly and Frank Lanigan, wishing them well for the future.

The newly-unveiled Dublin City Sheriff Joseph Burke served as count supervisor for local and European elections, and was a managing partner in private practice.

David Kelly (Revenue Sheriff for Sligo and Roscommon) has worked as assistant to the current Revenue Sheriff. Previously, he was an associate solicitor in private practice. 

Practising solicitor Alice Lanigan, who takes up the Revenue Sheriff job in Kildare and Carlow, has over 11 years’ experience in debt and asset recovery, professional indemnity, property damage and personal injury.  

Open competition

The posts, which were advertised during the summer, were subject to an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

Under the provisions of section 12(5) of the Court Officers Act 1945, a person appointed as sheriff must be either:

• A barrister who has practised for no less than five years, or
• A solicitor who has practised for not less than five years, or
• Have acted for not less than five years as managing clerk or principal assistant to an under-sheriff or sheriff. 

The Dublin County Sheriff is responsible for the enforcement of court orders and revenue certificates, and for acting as returning officer under section 30(2) of the Electoral Act 1992.

The Revenue Sheriff is responsible for the enforcement of revenue certificates under section 960 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.