The Hon Ms Justice Mella Carroll has been appointed Chancellor of DCU and Chair of the Governing Authority of Dublin City University.

Ms Justice Carroll takes over from Dr Tom Hardiman who is retiring after serving as Chancellor of the Governing Authority since 1998 and under whose guidance DCU developed its activities at a crucial stage of its existence.

Born in Dublin, Justice Carroll completed a degree in French and German at University College, Dublin before qualifying as a barrister from Kings Inns. During her career as a practising barrister she chaired the Bar Council (1979) and she was subsequently the first woman to be appointed to the bench of the High Court (1980). She is currently vice-president of the Administrative Tribunal of the ILO in Geneva and president of the International Association of Women Judges.

During the past twenty years she has presided over an enormous variety of cases ranging from the Catherine Nevin trial to the well-known abortion information appeal case.

In 1997-1998 she chaired the Commission on Nursing, which was established following a Labour Court recommendation to examine the role and requirements of nurses in the health service. Previously, she chaired the Commission on the Status of Women (1991-1993) and the County and County Borough Electoral Areas Commission (1984).

The President of DCU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, said: "We are honoured and privileged to have Ms Justice Carroll as our new Chancellor. It will be a pleasure to work with her as we plan the further development of DCU as an innovative and entrepreneurial institution with a strong social agenda. I believe that her pioneering nature and strong social conscience will be of great benefit as we implement the university's Strategic Plan, 'Leading Change'."

Ends.

For further details:

Eilis O'Brien: 700 5217 or 087 2057125