Helen McEntee

Kieran Coughlan, Claire Archbold, Professor Maeve Conrick, Patrick Doyle and Professor Bernard McCartan have been appointed as lay members to the judicial conduct committee, which has power to investigate complaints and issue varying levels of rebuke to judges.

Vivian Geiran, Dr Diarmuid Griffin, Michael O’Sullivan, Marianne O’Kane and Dr Sinéad Ring have been appointed as lay members of the sentencing guidelines and information committee, which is responsible for compiling guidelines designed to increase consistency in relation to criminal sentences.

John Naughton, Eoin Doyle, Molly Buckley, Clodagh Geraghty, James Doorley, Colm Deignan, George Maybury and Rosemary Smyth have been nominated for appointment by the judicial conduct committee as lay members of the panel of inquiry, which conducts investigations of complaints referred by the judicial conduct committee.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “I warmly congratulate all those appointed and nominated to Judicial Council committees and panel of inquiry today. Their experience, skills and knowledge will be of great benefit in promoting and maintaining public confidence in the judiciary and the administration of justice in our country.”

She added: “The recent establishment of the Judicial Council is a landmark development, in the history of the Irish judiciary.

“Today’s appointments and nominations further build on the great work already undertaken by the Chief Justice, the Hon. Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, the secretary, the members and staff of the Council in progressing full establishment of the committees to support the functions of the Judicial Council.”