1. Catherine McGuinness is a retired Irish judge who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 2000 to 2006, a Judge of the High Court from 1996 to 2000, a Judge of the Circuit Court from 1994 to 1996 and a Senator for the Dublin University from 1979 to 1981 and between 1983 and 1987.
Catherine McGuinness was appointed by President Patrick Hillery to the Council of State from 1988 to 1990 and by President Michael D Higgins from 2012 to 2019.
Catherine McGuinness was President of the Law Reform Commission from 2007 to 2009.
Catherine McGuinness attended primary school in Belfast, and was later educated in Alexandra College, Trinity College Dublin and the King's Inns.
Catherine McGuinness was called to the Irish Bar in 1977 at age 42.
Catherine McGuinness was re-elected at the 1981 elections to the 15th Seanad, and in 1983 to the 17th Seanad, where she served until 1987.
Catherine McGuinness was appointed to the Council of State on 2 May 1988 by President Patrick Hillery and served until 1990.
Catherine McGuinness was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court in 1994, the first woman to hold that office in Ireland.
Catherine McGuinness was appointed President of the Law Reform Commission in 2005, and held that position until 2011.
Catherine McGuinness has received honorary doctorates from the University of Ulster, the National University of Ireland, the University of Dublin, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
In February 2013, Catherine McGuinness accepted the Honorary Presidency of Trinity College Dublin's Free Legal Advice Centre.
In 1955, she married Proinsias Mac Aonghusa from Galway; for her married name, Catherine chose to use "McGuinness", the English language equivalent of Mac Aonghusa.