The appointment of 13 senior counsel marks the beginning of the new law term this week.
The new senior counsel are: Mr Joseph Hogan, Mr Colm Smyth, Mr Patrick Quinn, Mr Richard McDonald, Mr Simon Boyle, Mr James Gerald O’Brien, Mr John L. O’Donell, Mr Declan Doyle, Mr Eoin McCullough, Ms Caroline Carmey, Mr Patrick Hunt, Ms Mary Faherty and Mr Mark Orr.
The appointment of Ms Carmey and Ms Faherty brings to 26 the number of female senior counsel. There are 225 male senior counsel.
Chief Justice Mr Ronan Keane will make the appointments in three ceremonies held today and tomorrow in the Supreme Court, Dublin.
The 13 taking Silk are in practice throughout the country and the appointments bring to 22 the number of senior counsel appointed this year. Nine barristers took Silk in March. Last year there were 33 senior counsel appointed.
To apply for the position of senior counsel, a barrister must be in practice for over 12 years.
The Chief Justice; the President of the High Court, curretly Mr Justice Frederick Morris; other members of the judiciary; and the Chairman of the Bar Council, now Mr Rory Brady SC, all consider the applications and pass on their views to Attorney General Mr Michael McDowell.
The attorney general may also consult the judiciary and other senior members of the bar.