Chief Justice of Ireland
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The Chief Justice of Ireland (Irish: Phríomh-Bhreitheamh na hÉireann) is the president of the Supreme Court of Ireland.[1]
Under Constitution of Ireland, the Chief Justice of Ireland also occupies several positions ex officio, these include;
- A possible judge of the High Court.
- A member of the Council of State (a position retained on retirement).
- A member of the Presidential Commission.
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[edit] Statutory Roles
Under s. 2(5) of the Referendum Act 1998, the Chief Justice nominates the chairperson of the Referendum Commission.
[edit] List of Chief Justices
| Name | Entered Office | Left Office |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Kennedy | 1924 | 1936 |
| Timothy Sullivan | 1936 | 1946 |
| Conor Maguire | 1946 | 1961 |
| Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh | 1961 | 1973 |
| William Fitzgerald | 1973 | 1974 |
| Thomas O'Higgins | 1974 | 1985 |
| Thomas Finlay | 1985 | 1994 |
| Liam Hamilton | 1994 | 2000 |
| Ronan Keane | 2000 | 2004 |
| John L. Murray | 2004 | Incumbent |
[edit] Notes on List
The first head of the Judiciary in the Irish Free State was Thomas Molony who is not listed above. Molony was the last Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Molony continued in that role until May 1924. Hugh Kennedy was never the "Chief Justice of Ireland". Instead he was appointed on 5 June 1924 as the first "Chief Justice of the Irish Free State" (Irish: Prímh-Bhreitheamh Saorstát Eireann).[2] Timothy Sullivan also served in that capacity from his appointment in 1936 until 29 December 1937 when the Constitution of Ireland came into force and he became the first "Chief Justice of Ireland".
[edit] See also
- Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
- Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland
- Lord Chief Justice of Southern Ireland
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ The Constitution of Ireland including Art. 34.4, only uses the term "Chief Justice" however in practice "Chief Justice of Ireland" is the accepted long form of the name; whilst "Chief Justice of the Supreme Court" is rarely used.
- ^ As to titles: Section 5, Courts of Justice Act 1924. As to the date: The Times, 6 June 1924
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