The Government has nominated High Court judge Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley for appointment to the Supreme Court.

It has also agreed to nominate two senior counsel, Richard Humphreys and Tony O'Connor, as judges of the High Court.

Ms O'Malley will replace former chief justice John Murray who recently retired as an ordinary member of the Supreme Court.

Mr Humphreys and Mr O'Connor will replace Carroll Moran, who has retired, and Mary Ellen Ring, who is the new chair of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

The appointments were approved by the Government at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting held at Lissadell House in Co Sligo.

Ms O'Malley and Mr Humphreys both have strong connections with the Labour Party: Mr Humphreys was a Labour councillor on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council representing the Stillorgan area. He stepped down from the role earlier this year.

Mr Humphreys mainly practised in Constitutional law and also in immigration law.

Criminal law

Ms O’Malley has practised mainly in criminal law and is a former chair of the Free Legal Advice

Centre

. Mr O’Connor has been chair of the Mental Health Tribunals since 2013 and has wide experience in civil, commercial and EU law.

He has been the legal assessor at Fitness-to-Practise Committee hearings of the Medical Council, Nursing Board, Dental Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland since 2007.

The Government has also approved the nomination of solicitor Miriam Walsh and barrister John F Brennan to become judges with the District Court.

In a statement last night, the Government said it had taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Michael D Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.