‘Very well-respected judge’ with 50 years experience

Former retired judge John Cooke has nearly 50 years experience in a senior position in the legal sector.

He retired as a judge last December after reaching full retirement age. He was called to the bar of Ireland in 1966 and admitted to the inner bar in 1980. He practiced as a barrister for 30 years, mainly in the areas of European law and commercial litigation.

Senior legal sources say that the Mr Cooke is very well respected. He also has no political links, sources said.