Denham Becomes First Female Chief Justice

The Irish government has nominated Mrs Justice Susan Denham to be the next Chief Justice.

She becomes the first woman ever to hold the highest judicial office in Ireland, and the first Protestant.

She replaces Mr Justice John Murray, who retired on Friday after seven years in the post.

Mrs Denham's appointment means the two most senior positions in Ireland's legal system are now held by women, after Maire Whelan's appointment as the government's attorney general in the Spring.

Mrs Justice Denham is highly regarded, and was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court in December 1992.

She had previously been a High Court judge, and a circuit court judge.

She is the daughter of former Irish Times editor Douglas Gageby, and is married to paediatrician Brian Denham, with whom she has four children.

She was educated at Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University New York.

She was called to the Bar in 1971 and became a senior counsel in 1987.

She was considered the favorite for the position, being the most senior member of the Supreme Court.

The 65-year-old is seen as one of the most progressive and liberal voices in the judiciary, and a passionate reformer.

She has been instrumental in reforms that led to the establishment of the Courts Service, and chaired working groups on a Courts Commission and Court of Appeal.

Law Society director general Ken Murphy said Justice Denham had a "ferocious work rate and lack of ego" and was an ideal appointment.

"There won't be revolution, but there will most certainly be reform and plenty of it," he said.