President of High Court announces early retirement

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, has announced his retirement in December 2015 - four months earlier than expected.

Mr Justice Kearns, who was appointed President of the High Court in 2009, is leaving the post early in order to spend more time with his family in New Zealand, he said.

Mr Justice Séamus Noonan will now preside over the judicial review list when the new Irish legal term begins in October, but Mr Justice Kearns will continue to hear cases until his retirement.

Justice minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “While I expect there will be many opportunities over the coming months to acknowledge the lengthy and dedicated public service of Mr Justice Kearns, I would like, on this occasion, to express my sincere gratitude to Mr Justice Kearns for his exemplary service and dedication to the State, in particular, during his tenure as President of the High Court.

“Justice Kearns made an outstanding contribution to the Irish courts system during his many years on the bench. His retirement will represent a significant loss to the Irish justice system.”