Sligo solicitors call for dedicated family law judge

The president of the Sligo and County Solicitors Bar Association has called for the appointment of at least one dedicated family law judge for western Ireland.

Michael Monahan told Ocean FM over 100 family law cases were listed in Sligo District Court on Wednesday, with Judge Kevin Kilrane sitting from 9am to 7pm to hear them.

The court dedicates the third Wednesday of each month to dealing with family matters before the District Court.

Mr Monahan said: “I’m calling for the Courts Service to investigate appointing a specific family law judge for the western area. Dublin has this, dedicated judges who only deal with family law.”

While appreciating the need for “continuity” in family law cases, Mr Monahan said Judge Kilrane covered a “vast area” and the courts would benefit from “a judge or two” being appointed to the west.