Elizabeth Dunne

Elizabeth Dunne (born 12 January 1956) is an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland since July 2013. She previously served as a Judge of the High Court from 2004 to 2013 and a Judge of the Circuit Court from 1996 to 2004.[1]

The Hon. Ms. Justice Elizabeth Dunne
Judge of the Supreme Court
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 July 2013
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Michael D. Higgins
Judge of the High Court
In office 20 June 2004 – 27 July 2013
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Mary McAleese
Judge of the Circuit Court
In office 1996–2004
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Mary Robinson
Personal details
Born	Elizabeth Dunne 12 January 1956 Roscommon, Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Spouse(s)	James Dwyer (m. 1984)
Children	2
Alma mater	University College Dublin King's Inns

Early career

Dunne was educated at University College Dublin and received a Bachelor of Civil Law degree and then subsequently studied at the King's Inns.[1] She was called to the Bar in 1977. She had a broad practice, encompassing family, commercial, chancery and banking law and defamation law proceedings.[2]

In 1986, she appeared on The Late Late Show with Harry Whelehan in a simulated court argument to advocate a vote in favour of the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland.[3] She co-signed a letter in 1983 opposing the Eighth Amendment.[4]

She became a Bencher of the King's Inns in 2004.[5]

Judicial career

Circuit Court

Dunne was appointed a Judge of the Circuit Court in 1996.[2] She was primarily a judge on the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She also heard cases involving personal injuries and employment law.[6]

High Court

She became a Judge of the High Court in 2004.[7]

Dunne was the chairperson of the Referendum Commission established for the 32nd Amendment Bill 2013 and 33rd Amendment of the Constitution.[5]

Supreme Court

She was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Michael D. Higgins, on the nomination of the Government of Ireland in July 2013.[7]

Personal life

She is married to James Dwyer, a barrister.[6] Their two children Daniel and Lucy are both barristers.[8]

References

1. "Two judges nominated for the Supreme Court". TheJournal.ie. 25 July 2013.
2. "Law Society welcomes judicial appointments of three solicitors". The Irish Times. 11 July 1996. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
3. "'Late Late' divorce special tonight". The Irish Times. 20 June 1986. p. 8.
4. "98 barristers opposed to amendment". The Irish Times. 9 February 1983. p. 7.
5. "2018 Supreme Court Annual Report" (PDF). Supreme Court. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
6. "Ms Elizabeth Dunne". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
7. "Two new Supreme Court judges announced". RTÉ News. 25 July 2013.
8. "Like mother, like daughter". Irish Independent. 17 July 2014.