Elizabeth Dunne
Irish Supreme Court judge (born 1956)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elizabeth Dunne (born 12 January 1956) is a retired Irish judge. She served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland from July 2013 to February 2026.[1] 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.[2]
Elizabeth Dunne | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland | |
| In office 27 July 2013 – 24 February 2026 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| In office 15 November 2004 – 27 July 2013 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary McAleese |
| Judge of the Circuit Court | |
| In office 1 December 1996 – 15 November 2004 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 January 1956 Roscommon, Ireland |
| Spouse |
James Dwyer (m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | |
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.[2] She was called to the Bar in 1977. She had a broad practice, encompassing family, commercial, chancery and banking law and defamation law proceedings.[3]
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.[4] She co-signed a letter in 1983 opposing the Eighth Amendment.[5]
Judicial career
Circuit Court
Dunne was appointed a Judge of the Circuit Court in 1996.[3] She was primarily a judge on the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She also heard cases involving personal injuries and employment law.[7]
High Court
She became a Judge of the High Court in 2004.[8][9]
Dunne was the chairperson of the Referendum Commission established for the 32nd Amendment Bill 2013 and 33rd Amendment of the Constitution.[6]
Supreme Court
She served as a judge of the Supreme Court from 2013 to 2026, having been appointed by President Michael D. Higgins, on the nomination of the Government of Ireland in July 2013.[9]
