The recently appointed president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, is expected to take on the role of president of the Court of Appeal on a temporary basis in the near future to fill in for Mr Justice Seán Ryan.
It is understood Mr Justice Ryan is to undergo a medical procedure and may have to take time off afterwards to recuperate. Under the legislation that established the Court of Appeal, the president of the High Court steps in under such circumstances.
The Government appointed Mr Justice Kelly to head up the High Court in December, and he moved from the Court of Appeal to take up the position. His position has not as yet been replaced and the temporary absence of Mr Justice Ryan will put further pressure on the court.
It is unlikely that the pressure on the court will be relieved until some time after a new government is in office and a replacement for Mr Justice Kelly can be appointed.
The Court of Appeal was established in 2014 and is working its way through a backlog of appeals.
