Ministers yesterday selected Mr McGrath to fill the vacancy arising from the elevation of Mr Justice Brian O’Moore to the Court of Appeal on Monday.

Educated at University College Dublin and the King’s Inns, Mr McGrath called to the Bar in 1985 and to the Inner Bar in 2011.

He chaired the Bar Council’s professional practices committee from 2014 to 2016, and has also served as an appeals officer under the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Points System) Regulations 2020 since 2020.

The government said it has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nomination in accordance with constitutional practice.