Eugene O’Kelly appointed circuit court judge

Kilrush man, Judge Eugene O’Kelly has been nominated by the Government for appointment by the President to the circuit court.

He is one of seven new appointees announced today (Thursday) to fill vacancies arising from a judge’s retirement, the appointment of a judge to the Court of Appeal and the appointment of five serving circuit court judges to the High Court, among them Mr Justice Caroll Moran.

Judge O’Kelly, who currently presides over the Limerick District Court area, began his legal career as a solicitor in Kilrush. His practice covered all of Clare and far beyond. .

Prior to his elevation to the bench, he was senior partner in the firm of O’Kelly Moylan Solicitors, with offices in Kilrush and Ennis. With wide experience in criminal law and civil litigation, he has been involved in a number of high-profile cases. In 2009 he was a solicitor to The Commission of Enquiry into the death of Gary Douch.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly studied law at University College Galway, University College Dublin, University College London and the Law Society of Ireland. He enrolled as a solicitor in 1981.

A former president of the Clare Law Association, he was appointed as a judge of the district court in April 2012.