Elizabeth Dunne

Elizabeth Dunne (born 12 January 1956 in Roscommon, Ireland) is a distinguished Irish jurist whose career spans over four decades of service to the legal profession. After completing a Bachelor of Civil Law at University College Dublin, she entered the King's Inns and was called to the Bar in 1977, quickly establishing a broad practice that covered family, commercial, chancery, banking and defamation matters. Her reputation for rigorous analysis and impartial judgment led to her appointment to the Circuit Court in December 1996, where she primarily presided over the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and also handled personal injury and employment cases, earning respect from both counsel and litigants. In 2004 she ascended to the High Court, simultaneously becoming a Bencher of the King's Inns, and chaired the Referendum Commission for the 32nd and 33rd Amendments of the Constitution, demonstrating her commitment to public participation in constitutional change. The pinnacle of her judicial journey arrived in July 2013 when President Michael D. Higgins, acting on the Government’s nomination, appointed her to the Supreme Court of Ireland, where she continues to contribute to the development of Irish jurisprudence. Beyond the bench, Dunne has engaged in civic discourse, appearing on The Late Late Show in 1986 to advocate for the Fifteenth Amendment and co‑signing a 1983 petition opposing the Eighth Amendment, reflecting her willingness to influence societal debates. She is married to barrister James Dwyer, with whom she shares two children, Daniel and Lucy, both of whom have followed in their parents’ legal footsteps. Throughout her tenure, Justice Dunne has authored landmark opinions on constitutional rights, commercial disputes, and family law, often cited for their clarity and balance. She remains an influential mentor within the legal community, frequently delivering lectures at her alma maters and serving on various advisory panels that shape legal reform. Her continued presence on the Supreme Court ensures that the Irish legal system benefits from her extensive experience and nuanced perspective.