UCD alum Ms Justice Caroline Costello to be next Court of Appeal president

Posted 19 July, 2024

The Government of Ireland nominated UCD alum Ms Justice Caroline Costello to become the new President of the Court of Appeal. 

President Michael D Higgins will be formally advised of the nomination, as judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the government. 

The vacancy at the Court of Appeal arose due to the forthcoming retirement of the current president Mr Justice George Birmingham, who has served in the position since 2018.

Ms Justice Costello was educated at University College Dublin, the University of Oxford, and King’s Inns, and was called to the Bar in 1988.

She became Senior Counsel in 2010 and was appointed as a judge of the High Court in 2014, she joined the Court of Appeal in 2018.

On her nomination, Minister for Justice Helen praised her as an “experienced judge… with valuable expertise across all areas of law.”

“I would like to congratulate Ms Justice Costello and wish her every success in her new role.” 

She added: “I would also like to thank Mr Justice Birmingham for his many years of distinguished service and wish him well.”

By:  David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie