MILITARY JUDGE CEREMONY September 2012 - Defence Forces

MILITARY JUDGE CEREMONY
Minister, Chief of Staff, Members of the Judiciary, distinguished
guests
It is a great honour for me, as Judge Advocate General, pursuant to
the provisions of the Defence Act, 1954 as amended to administer the
Oath of Office to Colonel Campion on the occasion of his
appointment by the President on the advice of the Government as
Military Judge.
I was also honoured to be present at the appointment of his
predecessor Colonel Tony McCourt as the first Military Judge in
September 2007. Colonel McCourt’s appointment was part of a
complete overhaul of the Military Justice system in the Irish Defence
Forces which was carried out as part of Ireland’s obligations
pursuant to the European Convention on Human Rights and to
ensure that every organ of the State operates in a manner compatible
to the Convention and to Bunreacht na hÉireann. The establishment
of an independent military Judicial Office and the appointment of a
Military Judge, independent in the performance of his or her
functions, ensures that our system of Military Justice not only has
regard to the unique requirements and demands of military life but
also has regard to the fundamental right of every individual to fair
procedures.
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