Paul McDermott (judge)
Paul McDermott is an Irish judge who currently serves as a Judge of the High Court.
He attended University College Dublin and the King's Inns. He became a barrister in 1980 and subsequently became a senior counsel in 1999. His practice was primarily focused on criminal law. He was counsel for the Morris Tribunal, which addressed allegations against An Garda Síochána. He received €3.2 million in fees, which was the highest amount paid to any of the tribunal's lawyers.
McDermott was appointed to the High Court in June 2012. He has presided over cases affecting several areas of law, including judicial review, company law, personal injuries, extradition, medical negligence, and homicide trials. He was the presiding judge in the trial surrounding the murder of Ana Kriégel.
He is the author of legal texts on the Misuse of Drugs Act and the law of prisons in Ireland.
