Former Health Board chief among new judicial appointments

A former health board chief and a solicitor were among six Northern Ireland judicial appointments today.

Gemma Loughran, Philip Babington, Melody McReynolds and Patrick Lynch, QC were appointed as County Court judges.

At the same time High Court judge, the Hon Mr Justice Sheil was elevated to be a Lord Justice of Appeal and Mr Donnell Deeny, QC was appointed a High Court Judge.

They were all sworn in at a ceremony to mark the opening of the new legal year in Northern Ireland which was attended by Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, Lord Chief Justice Brian Kerr and representatives of the judiciary in England, Wales and the Republic.

Mr Justice Sheil was called to the Bar in 1964, took silk in 1975 and was appointed to the High Court in 1989.

Mr Deeny was called to the Bar in 1974 and took silk in 1989. He is a member of the English Bar and a Senior Council in the Republic.

He is a former chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and a High Sheriff of Belfast.

Miss McReynolds was called to the Bar in 1982. She lectured part-time at Queen’s University between 1984 and 1996 and was appointed as Master of Probate and Matrimonial Division in the High Court in 1999.

Mr Lynch was called to the Bar in 1975 and took silk in 1999.

Mrs Loughran, called to the Bar in 1989, is a former director of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and member of the Senate of Queen’s University, current member of the Board of Visitors at Queen’s and a director of Trocaire.

Mr Babington has practised as a solicitor for almost 25 years and has been a member of the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal since 1987.