Mella Carroll facts for kids

Mella Elizabeth Laurie Carroll (born 6 March 1934 – died 15 January 2006) was a very important Irish judge. She served as a judge in the High Court from 1980 to 2005. Mella Carroll made history because she was the first woman ever to become a High Court judge in Ireland. This was a huge step forward for women in law.

Early Life and Education

Mella Carroll was born in Dublin in 1934. Her father, Patrick Carroll, was a founding member of the Garda Síochána, which is Ireland's police force. He even became its leader for a short time. Mella had three siblings: Milo, Paddy, and Una.

She went to Sacred Heart Convent School in Dublin. After that, she studied at University College Dublin, where she learned French and German.

Mella then went to King's Inns, a special place where people study to become barristers (a type of lawyer). She was very good at her studies and won the top award, called the Brooke scholarship. In 1957, she officially became a barrister in Ireland. Later, in 1976, she also became a barrister in Northern Ireland.

Becoming a Top Lawyer

In 1977, Mella Carroll became a Senior Counsel in Ireland. This means she was recognized as one of the most experienced and skilled lawyers. For a while, she was the only female Senior Counsel practicing in Ireland.

Her achievements continued in 1979. She was the first woman to be chosen as a "bar bencher" at King's Inns. This is a senior position that helps guide new lawyers. She also became the first woman to lead the Bar Council, which is the main group representing barristers in Ireland.

Her Time as a Judge

In October 1980, Mella Carroll was chosen by the Irish government to become a judge in the High Court. The President of Ireland, Patrick Hillery, officially appointed her on 6 October 1980. This made her the very first woman to be appointed to Ireland's highest courts.

For the first ten years, barristers in her court called her 'my lord'. But then she told them she preferred to be called 'judge'.

During her time as a High Court judge, she made many important decisions. For example, she stopped a ban on a book called One Girl's War. She also oversaw important cases in the Central Criminal Court.

In 2004, University College Dublin gave Judge Carroll an honorary Doctorate of Law. This was to recognize her amazing career and contributions.

She retired from being a judge in November 2005 after 25 years. This was due to a long illness.

Other Important Roles

After her time as a judge, Mella Carroll led several important groups in Ireland:

• In 1984, she chaired the County and County Borough Electoral Area Boundaries Commission. This group looked at how voting areas were drawn.
• In 1991, she led the Commission on the Status of Women. This group made a big statement about what Irish women needed for equality.
• In 1997, she chaired the Commission on Nursing. This was a major step for nurses and midwives in Ireland.

Mella Carroll also worked internationally. She held judicial positions at the International Labour Organization in Geneva. She was even its vice-president for a time. From 2000 to 2002, she was the president of the International Association of Women Judges.

In 2001, she became the Chancellor of Dublin City University. This is a very senior role, like being the head of the university. She held this position until she passed away.

Mella Carroll died on 15 January 2006. She is buried in Waterville, County Kerry.