Alexander Owens

He was called to the Bar in 1980 and became a senior counsel in 2000.^[3] His practice focused on criminal law, and the law of conveyancing, local government and chancery law.^[4] He also appeared in cases involving company law and personal injuries.^[5][6]

He frequently appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He prosecuted criminal trials of a serious nature involving sexual offences, kidnapping, murder, waste offences, and terrorism offences.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} He appeared for the Minister for Justice in an action relating to the publication of the Cloyne Report.^[12]

He was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Panel of Enquiry of the University of Dublin in 2004 and subsequently became the chair.^[13][1]

Owens was appointed a judge of the High Court in February 2019.^[14] He has presided over cases involving extradition, sexual offences, murder, manslaughter, false imprisonment, and the proceeds of crime.^{[15][16][17][18][19][20]} Outside of criminal law he has heard cases involving child law, property, and personal injury law.^[21][22]

He became a judge of the Special Criminal Court in July 2019, replacing Aileen Donnelly.^[23] He has acted as the presiding judge in that court.^[24]

Notable cases he has presided over include the trial of Circuit Court judge Gerard O'Brien in December 2023,^[25] and the trial of Conor McGregor in November 2024.^[26]