---

Solicitor Mark Heslin is to become a High Court judge

Solicitor Mark Heslin is to become High Court judge.

He was named for the bench by the Government yesterday, along with four others – senior counsel Brian O’Moore, Mark Sanfey, Mary Rose Gearty and Niamh Hyland.

The vacancies in the High Court have arisen due to the elevation of Justice Aileen Donnelly to the Court of Appeal last June.

Vacancies

The other four vacancies arose following the elevations of Justice Seamus Noonan, Justice Mary Faherty, Justice Robert Haughton and Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh to the Court of Appeal on 4 November. 

President Michael D Higgins has been advised of the nominations.

The nominations follow a formal process conducted by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.

Roll

Mark Heslin was educated at University College Galway and the Law Society. He was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1995 and is a former tutor at Blackhall Place.

Brian O’Moore SC was educated at Trinity College Dublin and called to the Bar in 1984. He was called to the Inner Bar in 1999.

Mark Sanfey SC was educated at Trinity College Dublin and the King’s Inns. He was called to the Bar in 1987 and to the Inner Bar in 2004.

Construction Bar Association 

He is a founder member of the Construction Bar Association and a founder member of Consult-a-Colleague.

Mary Rose Gearty SC was called to the Bar in 1992 and to the Inner Bar in 2009. She is a former vice chair of the Bar Council and current chair Professional Practices Committee of the Bar Council. She also lectures at the King’s Inns and Griffith College in Dublin.

Oxford

Niamh Hyland SC was educated at Trinity College Dublin, Magdalen College Oxford and the King’s Inns.

She was called to the Bar in 1994 and to the Inner Bar in 2012. She is a former member of the Bar Council and a former board member of Irish Commercial Mediation Association.