Mary Finlay Geoghegan facts for kids

Mary Finlay Geoghegan (born 1949) is a well-known retired Irish judge and lawyer. She had a long and important career in the legal system. She started as a judge in the High Court in 2002. Later, she moved to the new Court of Appeal in 2014. Her career reached its peak when she became a judge in the Supreme Court of Ireland in 2017, before she retired in 2019.

Before becoming a judge, Finlay Geoghegan was a lawyer who focused on business law. She first worked as a solicitor, helping companies with legal matters. Then, she became a barrister, representing people and businesses in court. She handled many different types of business and civil cases.

She also took on temporary roles in important international and national legal bodies. These included the European Court of Human Rights and the Referendum Commission.

Mary Finlay Geoghegan's Early Life

Mary Finlay was born in 1949 to Thomas Finlay and Alice Blayney. She was the oldest of five children. Her father, Thomas Finlay, was also a very important judge. He served as the Chief Justice of Ireland, which is the highest judicial position, from 1985 to 1994. Her grandfather, Thomas Finlay, was a politician. Her mother was also trained as a lawyer, but she did not practice. Her uncle, John Blayney, also became a Supreme Court judge.

Mary went to school at Sacred Heart Convent in Monkstown. She then studied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics at University College Dublin (UCD). She earned top grades in both subjects. While at UCD, she was a talented athlete. She played for the university's hockey team and was a champion diver in Leinster.

She made history at UCD by becoming the first female leader, or "auditor," of the UCD L&H. This was a big achievement for a 21-year-old. She described herself as a "logical person" because of her strong math background. Another future Supreme Court judge, Adrian Hardiman, was on her committee.

After UCD, she studied law at the Law Society of Ireland. She also received a scholarship to study European Union law at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.

Mary Finlay Geoghegan's Legal Career

Starting Her Legal Journey

Mary Finlay Geoghegan began her legal career as a solicitor in 1973. She worked at a major law firm called McCann, FitzGerald, Roche and Dudley. She became a partner there, which is a senior position.

In 1980, she decided to become a barrister. Barristers represent clients in court. She worked on cases involving business, injunctions (court orders), and companies that were having financial trouble. She even represented the Irish government in a big case about an insurance company that collapsed in 1985. In 1987, she was also allowed to practice law in England and Wales.

Becoming a Senior Counsel

Mary Finlay Geoghegan became a Senior Counsel in 1988. This is a special title given to experienced barristers. She was also allowed to practice law in Northern Ireland in 1989 and in New South Wales, Australia, in 1992. She continued to work on business cases, including those about employment and taxes. She also handled cases about immigration and personal injuries.

She represented famous clients, like music manager Paul McGuinness. She helped him in a case about a TV license for a new channel.

In 1996, she advised the Irish government on matters related to European Union law. She also worked for the Attorney General of Ireland on important cases involving the Constitution of Ireland. For example, she appeared in cases about how referendums should be covered by broadcasters like RTÉ.

Since 1996, she has been a "bencher" at the King's Inns, which is a prestigious legal society in Ireland. She also became a bencher at Middle Temple in London in 2012.

Other Important Roles

Beyond her court work, Mary Finlay Geoghegan held several other important positions. In 1976, she was made the head of the National Consumer Advisory Council. She also served on the boards of the Dublin Gas Board and two major hospitals, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and the Temple Street Children's University Hospital. She was the chairperson of Temple Street Children's Hospital from 2001 to 2004.

From 1980, she was a part-time member of the Law Reform Commission. This group helps to update and improve Ireland's laws. She also helped lead the Constitution Review Group from 1995.

Currently, she is on the board of the National Children's Research Centre. She is also a governor of the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook.

Mary Finlay Geoghegan's Judicial Career

Serving in the High Court

In July 2002, Mary Finlay Geoghegan was appointed as a judge to the High Court. This meant she was following in her father's footsteps. In 2004, she was assigned to the Commercial list. This meant she heard cases about business disputes. She and another judge, Peter Kelly, were the first judges to work in the new Commercial Court. This court was set up to handle complex business cases or those involving large sums of money (over €1 million). She also managed cases related to company examinations and international child abduction.

From 2009 to 2010, she served as a temporary judge at the European Court of Human Rights. This court deals with human rights issues across Europe.

Moving to the Court of Appeal

In 2014, a new court was created in Ireland called the Court of Appeal. Mary Finlay Geoghegan was one of the first six judges appointed to this new court. She also helped plan how this new court would work before it was set up.

She was chosen to lead the Referendum Commission for the 31st Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland. This commission provides information to the public about referendums.

Reaching the Supreme Court

On 7 November 2017, the Irish government nominated her to become a judge of the Supreme Court. This is the highest court in Ireland. The President of Ireland officially appointed her on 1 December 2017.

Mary Finlay Geoghegan retired from her role as a judge on 16 June 2019. The Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, praised her work. He said her contributions were "meticulous and firm" and showed "deep humanity." When she retired, she spoke about how important it is for Ireland to have enough judges to ensure justice is served properly.

Mary Finlay Geoghegan's Personal Life

Mary Finlay married Hugh Geoghegan in 1981. He was also a judge, serving in the High Court and later the Supreme Court. Hugh Geoghegan's father, James Geoghegan, was also a Supreme Court judge.

Mary Finlay Geoghegan and Hugh Geoghegan have two daughters and one son. Their son, James, is also a lawyer and a local politician in Dublin.