Judges in the Irish court system claimed over €2.1 million in expenses during 2024, according to the Courts Service. The expenses included travel, subsistence, and miscellaneous costs, with one judge receiving over €54,000. The data revealed significant variations in claims depending on court level and location.
Judges were paid more than €2.1 million in expenses last year with one member of the judiciary paid more than €54,000 in travel , subsistence, and miscellaneous costs. Figures from the Courts Service show that €947,000 was paid in travel and mileage bills for judges in 2024.
A further €1.12 million was forked out for subsistence to cover the cost of accommodation and food for judges, some of whom travel for work all the time. There were also incidental expenses of €34,754 for judicial attire, including wigs and gowns, and other associated costs, according to data released in response to an FOI request . The Courts Service said the amounts claimed by each judge varied hugely depending on where the person was based and the geographic area covered. For Supreme Court judges, who mostly sit in Dublin , 10 members of the judiciary claimed just €3,920 worth of expenses. Several members of the highest court in the land claimed no expenses at all. At the other end of the scale, six Circuit and District Court judges each made claims that exceeded €30,000. This was based on a huge amount of travel where some might get assigned to venues nationwide to cover annual leave, sick leave, or for extra and special sittings to help clear backlogs. The highest-claiming person was District Court Judge Gerald Furlong, who was paid €54,361 in expenses, the Courts Service documents showed. This was made up of €19,421 in travel and mileage costs and €34,940 in subsistence claims for accommodation and food. District Court Judge Miriam Walsh was paid €41,372 in expenses while Circuit Court Judge James O’Donohoe received €39,170. Three other members of the judiciary – one circuit court judge and two district court judges – submitted claims that exceeded €30,000. The Courts Service said some claims paid between January and December of 2024 could relate to arrears for earlier years. The overall cost of claims varied enormously according to what level of court was involved, according to the data. For the Court of Appeal , just €20,000 was paid in expenses while High Court judges were paid just under €177,000. Claims from the Circuit Court came to €714,000 while a total of €1.18 million was paid to District Court judges. Asked about the expenditure, a Courts Service spokesman said the cost of transport and accommodation was based on standard rates applied according to civil service guidelines. He said: ‘The level of costs also reflects where to and how often a judge has to travel in attending court dates and hearings. ‘Almost 98 per cent of judicial expenses are incurred where judges are required to attend at courts. These expenses include travel and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred for attendance in courts away from their home location.’ An information note added: ‘The Circuit Court sits each court day in venues across every part of the country – the circuits are regional in nature and require varying amounts of travel. ‘The District Court sits throughout the year in scores of venues across the country and is the busiest, largest and most geographically dispersed court in the country.’ The note added that travel and subsistence expenses incurred by judges while sitting on tribunals or boards of inquiry are recoupable from the relevant government department. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
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