According to news reports, the government has taken the necessary steps to advise President Mary McAleese to appoint Mrs. Justice Denham as the next Chief Justice. She will take over from the current Chief Justice Mr. Justice John Murray when his 7 year tenure comes to an end later this month.  

Judge Denham, 65, who was the first ever woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992, will be Ireland’s first female Chief Justice. 

The appointment has been widely welcomed. Judge Denham is hugely popular with fellow judges, lawyers and court staff. She has a strong reputation for consideration and fairness and is renowned as one of the judiciary’s leading progressives. 

It is believed that one of Judge Denham’s first tasks will be to repair the damaged relationship between the government and the judiciary following the recent controversy over judge’s pay and pensions.