District judge appointed

A NEW judge has been assigned to the local district, with jurisdiction over the Portlaoise, Portarlington, Tullamore, Edenderry and Birr District Courts.

Judge Catherine Staines BL was appointed a judge of the District Court in May 2010. Prior to her appointment Judge Staines was a partner in her family business of Michael J Staines & Company, Smithfield, Dublin 7.

She studied in University College Dublin and The Incorporated Law Society, Blackhall Place, where she qualified as a solicitor in 1991. She also graduated as a barrister-at-law from the Honourable Society of Kings Inns in 2003.

Judge Staines’ appointment will take effect from March 7.