merrion street

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD has welcomed the election of Ms Justice Síofra O’Leary as President of the European Court of Human Rights.

Minister McEntee said: 

“I want to offer my warm congratulations to Judge O’Leary on her historic election as President of the European Court of Human Rights. 

Judge O’Leary is the first Irish person, and the first woman, to be elected President of the Court in its 63 year history. 

The European Court of Human Rights is an integral institution in enforcing our human rights and upholding our fundamental freedoms, established after World War II to ensure that never again could governments or institutions abuse people’s rights with impunity. Never has the raison d’etre of the Court been more pertinent than the current situation we find ourselves in with the war in Ukraine.  

The judgments of the Court regarding Irish cases have paved the way for many seismic reforms in Irish society which have ultimately improved fundamental safeguards for the human rights of our citizens.

Judge O’Leary’s appointment as President of the Court is a source of great pride for our country, and is testament to her recognised expertise and the distinction with which she has served in her current and former positions.

 I wish her the best during her term as President of the Court .”

 ENDS