High court judge steps down from the bench

A DISTINGUISHED career in the legal profession and judiciary came to an end this week for Ennis man, Honourable Justice Daniel O’Keeffe when he retired from the High Court.

Originally from Abbey Street, the 68-year-old was nominated to the High Court in 2008 and his final sitting was in Court No 5 in the Four Courts, Dublin on Wednesday morning.

Mr O’Keeffe qualified as a barrister in 1964 and became a senior counsel in 1985, practicising on the Dublin and South-Western Circuits. He specialised in company law and tax law and also had vast experience in general practice, administrative and commercial law and judicial review.

In 2005, he was appointed chairman of the public service bench marking body, PSBB, which sets public sector pay. He previously worked as legal advisor with Bank of Ireland in Dublin.

Educated at Ennis CBS, he attended Clongowes Wood College and University College Dublin. His father, Dr Bill O’Keeffe was a general practitioner in Ennis, a profession also pursued by his brother, Rory.