Two solicitors nominated as district court judges

The Government has nominated two solicitors for appointment by the President to the district court.

Grainne O’Neill (42), the Athlone based solicitor has through her career given her expertise to the local branch of the Rape Crisis Centre where she sits on the board as well as to the Free Legal Advice Centre (Flac) between 2000 and 2007, providing service in the areas of family and civil law.

Ms O'Neill qualified as a solicitor in 1999 having been educated at University College Galway (UCG) where she took a degree in arts and later in law.

She has been specialising in criminal, family and employment law as well as in civil litigation.

Marian O’Leary (59), who is also a State registered nurse, qualified as a solicitor in 1995 having previously studied law.

Ms O’Leary has specialised in family law, conveyancing and probate and in civil litigation.

The vacancies arose following the retirement from the District Court of Judge Clare Leonard last October and the elevation to the Circuit Court of Judge Catherine Murphy in December.

Both were included in a list of candidates submitted to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.