Patricia Ryan (judge) facts for kids

Patricia Ryan is an Irish judge who holds an important position in Ireland's legal system. Since 2019, she has been the President of the Circuit Court, which is a busy court that handles many different types of cases. Before becoming President, she served as a Judge of the Circuit Court starting in July 2002.

Early Life and Education

Patricia Ryan studied at University College Dublin and then at King's Inns. King's Inns is a special place where people train to become barristers, who are lawyers who represent people in court. In 1984, she officially became a barrister in Ireland. She worked on many different legal cases, including those about personal injuries.

Before becoming a judge, she also worked for the Employment Appeals Tribunal. This is a group that helps sort out disagreements between employers and employees about jobs. She was appointed as a vice-chairperson there in 1998 and again in 2001.

Becoming a Judge

Serving in the Circuit Court

In June 2002, Patricia Ryan was chosen to become a judge in the Circuit Court. She officially started this role in July 2002. The Circuit Court is one of the main courts in Ireland. It handles a wide range of cases, including civil cases (disputes between people or groups) and criminal cases (where someone is accused of breaking the law).

Leading the Circuit Court

After many years of serving as a judge, Patricia Ryan was given an even bigger role. In July 2019, she became the President of the Circuit Court. This means she is in charge of how the Circuit Court operates across Ireland. She helps make sure that justice is carried out fairly and efficiently in this important court.

Personal Life

Patricia Ryan is married to Brian Lenihan Jnr. They got married in 1987 and had two children together. Brian Lenihan Jnr passed away in 2011.