Catherine McGuinness

{{For|the London politician|Catherine McGuinness (English politician)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Justice Catherine McGuinness (cropped).jpg

| caption = McGuinness in 2014

| office = Member of the Council of State

| term_start = 6 January 2012

| term_end = 4 April 2019

| appointer = Michael D. Higgins

| term_start1 = 2 May 1988

| term_end1 = 11 November 1990

| appointer1 = Patrick Hillery

| office2 = Judge of the Supreme Court

| term_start2 = January 2000

| term_end2 = 23 September 2006

| nominator2 = Government of Ireland

| appointer2 = Mary McAleese

| office3 = Judge of the High Court

| term_start3 = 10 August 1996

| term_end3 = 1 July 2000

| nominator3 = Government of Ireland

| appointer3 = Mary Robinson

| office4 = Judge of the Circuit Court

| term_start4 = 22 July 1994

| term_end4 = 10 August 1996

| nominator4 = Government of Ireland

| appointer4 = Mary Robinson

| office5 = Senator

| term_start5 = 23 February 1983

| term_end5 = 25 April 1987

| term_start6 = 11 December 1979

| term_end6 = 13 May 1982

| constituency6 = Dublin University

| birth_name = Catherine Isobel Bridget Ellis

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1934|11|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Belfast, Northern Ireland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Irish

| spouse = {{marriage|Proinsias Mac Aonghusa|1954|2003|end=his death}}

| children = 3

| residence = Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland

| education = Alexandra College

| alma_mater = {{Ubl|Trinity College Dublin|King's Inns}}

|}}

Catherine McGuinness ({{nee|Ellis}}; born 14 November 1934) is a retired Irish judge who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 2000 to 2006, a Judge of the High Court from 1996 to 2000, a Judge of the Circuit Court from 1994 to 1996 and a Senator for the Dublin University from 1979 to 1981 and between 1983 and 1987. She was appointed by President Patrick Hillery to the Council of State from 1988 to 1990 and by President Michael D. Higgins from 2012 to 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Catherine-McGuinness.S.1979-12-11/|title=Catherine McGuinness|work=Oireachtas Members Database|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107225204/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Catherine-McGuinness.S.1979-12-11|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=President appoints seven to Council of State|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0106/president.html|access-date=6 January 2012|newspaper=RTÉ News and Current Affairs|date=6 January 2012|archive-date=8 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108050206/http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0106/president.html|url-status=live}}

She was President of the Law Reform Commission from 2007 to 2009. In May 2013, she was appointed Chair of the National University of Ireland Galway Governing Authority.{{cite news|title=Judge McGuinness Appointed Chair of NUI Galway Governing Authority|url=http://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2013/may2013/judge-mcguinness-appointed-chair-of-nui-galway-governing-authority.html|access-date=5 May 2013|newspaper=NUIG Website|date=1 May 2013|archive-date=10 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610225526/http://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2013/may2013/judge-mcguinness-appointed-chair-of-nui-galway-governing-authority.html|url-status=live}}

Biography

Catherine Isabel Brigid Ellis was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1934 to Canon Robert Ellis and his wife, Sylvia Craig. She attended primary school in Belfast, and was later educated in Alexandra College, Trinity College Dublin and the King's Inns.{{cite web|title=Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Catherine McGuinness |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2014-06-19/5/ |access-date=20 September 2022 }}{{cite web|title=Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness |url=http://www.endoflife.ie/alist/catherine-mcguinness.aspx |work=Forum on End of Life |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914235753/http://www.endoflife.ie/alist/catherine-mcguinness.aspx |archive-date=14 September 2011 }}

In the 1960s, she worked for the Labour Party.{{cite news|title=Agents of change 25 women who made a difference|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/sisters/agents-of-change.html|access-date=6 January 2012|author=Fintan O'Toole|author-link=Fintan O'Toole|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-date=4 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304063836/http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/sisters/agents-of-change.html|url-status=live}} She was called to the Irish Bar in 1977 at age 42. In 1989, she was called to the Inner Bar.{{cite news|last=Doyle|first=Kilian|title=Higgins unveils his seven Council of State nominees|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0106/breaking46.html|access-date=6 January 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=6 January 2012|archive-date=10 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110213240/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0106/breaking46.html|url-status=live}}

In 1979, she was elected as an Independent candidate to Seanad Éireann at a by-election on 11 December 1979 as a senator for the Dublin University constituency, following the resignation of Conor Cruise O'Brien, taking her seat in the 14th Seanad. She was re-elected at the 1981 elections to the 15th Seanad, and in 1983 to the 17th Seanad, where she served until 1987. She lost her seat to David Norris. She was appointed to the Council of State on 2 May 1988 by President Patrick Hillery and served until 1990.

She was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court in 1994, the first woman to hold that office in Ireland. In 1996, she was appointed to the High Court and remained there until her appointment to the Supreme Court in January 2000.{{cite news|title=Galway-bias as President Michael D unveils Council of State appointees|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/galwaybias-as-president-michael-d-unveils-council-of-state-appointees-2981982.html|access-date=6 January 2012|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=6 January 2012|archive-date=9 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109003224/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/galwaybias-as-president-michael-d-unveils-council-of-state-appointees-2981982.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=New Chief Justice announced as Ahern prepares for reshuffle|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0125/cabinet.html|access-date=6 January 2012|newspaper=RTÉ News and Current Affairs|date=25 January 2000|archive-date=26 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040826112751/http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0125/cabinet.html|url-status=live}}

In November 2005, she was appointed adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Ireland, Galway.{{cite journal|title=Faculty Appoints Adjunct Professor |journal=Law Times |year=2005–2006 |issue=2 |url=http://www.nuigalway.ie/law/documents/publications/newsletter%202.pdf |access-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207082307/http://www.nuigalway.ie/law/documents/publications/newsletter%202.pdf |archive-date= 7 February 2012 }} She was also appointed President of the Law Reform Commission in 2005, and held that position until 2011.

In April 2009, she was awarded a "Lord Mayor's Award" by Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne "for her contribution to the lives of children and families in the city through her pioneering work".{{cite news|title=Norris and McGuinness among recipients of awards|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0423/1224245212179.html|access-date=6 January 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=4 April 2009|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013212551/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0423/1224245212179.html|url-status=live}} In September 2010, she was named as one of the "People of the Year" for "her pioneering, courageous and long-standing service to Irish society".{{cite news|title=Selfless qualities mark winners apart|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0913/1224278758562.html|access-date=6 January 2012|date=9 September 2010|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022022334/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0913/1224278758562.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Previous People of the Year|url=http://www.peopleoftheyear.com/Inspirational-People/Previous-People-of-the-Year.aspx|access-date=6 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122223230/http://www.peopleoftheyear.com/Inspirational-People/Previous-People-of-the-Year.aspx|archive-date=22 November 2011|df=dmy-all}} In November 2012, she won the 'Irish Tatler Hall of Fame Award'{{cite news|title=Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards|url=http://iwphotos.independent.ie/gallery/Irish_Tatler_Women_of_the_Year_Awards/slideshow/Catherine_McGuinness/0gM0bfkb5Y7to|access-date=1 December 2012|work=Irish Independent|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116030416/http://iwphotos.independent.ie/gallery/Irish_Tatler_Women_of_the_Year_Awards/slideshow/Catherine_McGuinness/0gM0bfkb5Y7to|archive-date=16 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}

In addition to her judicial career, McGuinness has served on the Employment Equality Agency, Kilkenny Incest Investigation, the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation,{{cite web|title=Lead Singer of U2 and President of the European Parliament Among Leading Figures to Receive Honorary Degrees at Trinity College Dublin|url=http://www.tcd.ie/Secretary/Communications/Press_Releases/PR0203/prhondegrees.htm|publisher=University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin|access-date=6 January 2012|date=11 July 2003|archive-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218133856/http://www.tcd.ie/Secretary/Communications/Press_Releases/PR0203/prhondegrees.htm|url-status=live}} the National Council of the Forum on End of Life in Ireland, and the Irish Universities Quality Board.{{cite web|title=Board Profiles|url=http://www.iuqb.ie/info/board_profiles.aspx|publisher=Irish Universities Quality Board|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424100904/http://www.iuqb.ie/info/board_profiles.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2011}} In June 2011, she became patron of the Irish Refugee Council.{{cite web|title=Mrs. Justice McGuinness joins campaign for asylum reform|url=http://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/news/mrs-justice-mcguinness-joins-campaign-for-asylum-reform-2/295|work=Irish Refuge Council|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-date=13 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141023/http://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/news/mrs-justice-mcguinness-joins-campaign-for-asylum-reform-2/295|url-status=live}} In November 2011, she was appointed Chairperson of the "Campaign for Children"{{cite web|title=Campaign for Children website |url=http://campaignforchildren.ie/about/ |work=Campaign for Children |access-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224164537/http://www.campaignforchildren.ie/about/ |archive-date=24 February 2012 }}

She has received honorary doctorates from the University of Ulster, the National University of Ireland, the University of Dublin, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

In February 2013, McGuinness accepted the Honorary Presidency of Trinity College Dublin's Free Legal Advice Centre.

In January 2014, she was appointed by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte to chair the expert panel to oversee the preparation of reports on the best underground route options to compare with the Grid Link and Grid West high voltage power lines in Ireland.{{cite web|title=Irish Government Information site website|url=http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2014/01/rabbitte-responds-to-grid-link-public-consultation-justice-catherine-mcguinness-to-chair-expert-panel-overseeing-quality-of-route-options/?cat=12|access-date=20 June 2014|archive-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601165529/http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2014/01/rabbitte-responds-to-grid-link-public-consultation-justice-catherine-mcguinness-to-chair-expert-panel-overseeing-quality-of-route-options/?cat=12|url-status=live}}

In March 2015, she received an Alumni Award from Trinity College Dublin.{{cite web|title=Trinity College Dublin website|url=https://www.tcd.ie/alumni/awards/2013-14.php#mcguinness|access-date=4 October 2015|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930130316/https://www.tcd.ie/alumni/awards/2013-14.php#mcguinness|url-status=live}}

File:Miseon-Lee-CMcG-MDH.jpg in 2022.]] In July 2022 a portrait of her by Miseon Lee was unveiled at the National Gallery of Ireland. The portrait was presented to the Gallery by Tara Doyle, chair of Matheson{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalgallery.ie/what-we-do/press-room/press-releases/portrait-former-supreme-court-judge-catherine-mcguinness | title=Portrait of former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness unveiled at National Gallery of Ireland }} {{Citation needed|reason=National Gallery website identifies Tara Doyle but not that it is Tara Doyle of Matheson|date=May 2025}}

Catherine McGuinness Fellowship on Children's Rights and Child Law

In November 2014, the Children's Rights Alliance established the Catherine McGuinness Fellowship on Children's Rights and Child Law, a one-year Fellowship Programme for newly qualified barristers to work as part of their Legal and Policy Team on law and policy reform for children in the area of children's rights and child law in the Irish context. The Programme was developed in partnership with the Bar Council of Ireland and with the support of the Family Lawyers Association of Ireland.{{cite news|title=Catherine McGuinness Fellowship on Children's Rights and Child Law.|url=http://www.childrensrights.ie/content/catherine-mcguinness-fellowship|access-date=25 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117184522/http://www.childrensrights.ie/content/catherine-mcguinness-fellowship|archive-date=17 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}

The Fellowship was launched by the Chief Justice of Ireland, Susan Denham who described McGuinness as "an advocate at heart" and a "patriot, in the true sense of the word" who "stands up for the rights of others, particularly those who are marginalised and vulnerable in our society."{{cite news|title=Retired Supreme Court Judge Catherine McGuinness has said that it is a "very great honour" to have a new fellowship on Children's Rights and Child Law named after her.|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/retired-judge-is-thrilled-with-new-honour-30756521.html|access-date=25 November 2014|newspaper=The Irish Independent|date=19 November 2014|archive-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415170824/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/retired-judge-is-thrilled-with-new-honour-30756521.html|url-status=live}}

Personal life

In 1955, she married Proinsias Mac Aonghusa from Galway; for her married name, Catherine chose to use "McGuinness", the English language equivalent of Mac Aonghusa. They had three children together.