4th July 2003

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Ms Justice Mella Carroll was the first woman to be appointed to the bench of the High Court in the Republic of Ireland in 1980 and during the past 20 years she has presided over an enormous variety of high profile cases ranging from the Catherine Nevin trial to the abortion information appeal.

In September 2001, she was appointed Chancellor of Dublin City University, and chair of the institution’s Governing Authority. She succeeded Dr Tom Hardiman.

Born in Dublin, she graduated in French and German from University College Dublin before qualifying as a barrister from King's Inns. She subsequently chaired the Bar Council in 1979.
Other posts she has held include vice-president of the Administrative Tribunal of the ILO in Geneva, and president of the International Association of Women Judges.

She has also been deeply involved in labour and social issues in the Republic of Ireland. In 1997-98 she chaired the Commission on Nursing which was established following a Labour Court recommendation to examine the role and requirements of nurses in the health service. Previously she chaired the Commission on the Status of Women (1991-93) and the County and County Borough Electoral Areas Commission (1984).

Ms Justice Carroll was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) in recognition of her contribution to law and higher education.

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