By Pakhi More
It is a historic moment for Northern Ireland as Mrs. Justice Siobhan Keegan has been appointed as the first-ever female Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. She is going to replace Sir Declan Morgan, who is to retire after 10 years as Lord Chief Justice. Justice Keegan delivered a ruling last month stating that the 10 people that were killed in the west Belfast shootings involving soldiers in Ballymurphy in August 1971 were “entirely innocent”. She imputed nine of the 10 shootings to the British Army and said that the soldiers used lethal force and this was not unjustified. Queen Elizabeth has approved the appointment of Justice Keegan. She will be sworn into office at the beginning of September 2021 at a ceremony in the Royal Courts of Justice.
Background: – In October 2015, Mrs. Justice Keegan was appointed to the High Court as a judge. She also made judiciary history in 2015 as one of two women appointed as High Court judges. Mrs. Justice Keegan has served as vice-chairwoman of the Northern Ireland Bar during her tenure. In November 2015, she was appointed as Judge in Residence at Queen’s University Belfast, a position she still holds. Mrs. Justice Keegan became a coroner in July 2017 and served as the presiding coroner for Northern Ireland. When a selection panel convened earlier this year, Mrs. Justice Keegan was considered one of the front runners for the top job. In 1993, she graduated from Queen’s University in Belfast and was admitted to the bar the following year.
Rowan White, president of the Law Society, said: “As women now make up at least half of the legal profession in Northern Ireland it is encouraging to see a female become the head of the judiciary.” Bernard Brady QC, chairman of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, said it was a “truly historic and well-deserved” appointment. “Having worked alongside Mrs. Justice Keegan over many years on the Bar Council, I do not doubt that her vast experience will enable her to administer the office with great distinction,” he said. “This appointment will hopefully help to inspire other female members of the profession and the Bar Council is committed in various ways to helping others to follow the path she has successfully charted”.
It is a very proud moment for Northern Ireland as it is taking one step forward towards gender equality. A female is now going to be at the topmost judicial position and will spearhead the legal system of the Country.
