Aileen Donnelly

The Hon. Ms. Justice Aileen Donnelly
Donnelly in 2023
Judge of theSupreme Court of Ireland
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 June 2023
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Michael D. Higgins
Judge of theCourt of Appeal
In office 17 June 2019 – 2 June 2023
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Michael D. Higgins
Judge of theHigh Court
In office 22 September 2014 – 17 June 2019
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Michael D. Higgins
Personal details
Nationality	Irish
Spouse	Susan Miner ​ (m.2016)​
Alma mater	University College Dublin King's Inns

Aileen Donnellyis an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of theSupreme Court of Irelandsince June 2023. She previously served as a Judge of theCourt of the Appealfrom 2019 to 2023 and a Judge of theHigh Courtfrom 2014 to 2019.

Legal career

Donnelly attendedUniversity College Dublin,where she obtained a BCL degree in 1986 and a master's degree in equality studies in 1995.She also attended theKing's Inns.In 1988, she was called to theBar.Between 1996 and 2002, she was a board member and co-chair of theIrish Council for Civil Liberties(ICCL). She was counsel for a complainant in theCommission to Inquire into Child Abuse.In 2004, she was called to the Inner Bar.She has published legal texts on tax law, the law of theEuropean Convention on Human Rightsand gender and law.

Judicial career

High Court

She was appointed a Judge of the High Court in September 2014.She was in charge of High Courtextraditioncases.Donnelly postponed an order of extradition for a man toPolandin 2018, as a result of the2015 Polish Constitutional Court crisis.She referred the issue to theCourt of Justice of the European Union.Her subsequent decision did not find that there was a specific threat to the accused man's rights to a fair trial.Donnelly's preliminary decision received substantial personal criticism from some Polish media publications, leading to Association of Judges of Ireland and the European Association of Judges writing statements of support for the judge.

Court of Appeal

Donnelly became a Judge of the Court of Appeal in June 2019.Her appointment followed the elevation ofMary Irvineto theSupreme Court of Ireland.

Supreme Court

The Irish Government nominated Donnelly for appointment to theSupreme Court of Irelandin May 2023.She was appointed in June 2023.

Personal life

She is the first openly gay member of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.She is married to Susan Miner.