North tipp state solicitor appointed to circuit court

State Solicitor for North Tipperary Gerard O'Brien has been appointed as a judge to the Circuit Court. There was double delight for the Thurles man last Thursday when he celebrated his 50th birthday with the news of his appointment.
Mr O'Brien became State Solicitor for North Tipperary in 2012. Before that he worked as solicitor with Thurles based firm Gerard O'Brien Solicitors, which he established in 2006. Before becoming a solicitor, Mr O'Brien worked as a schoolteacher in Dublin. He also served as a Fianna Fáil member of Thurles Town Council.
Mr O'Brien was born with no arms and just one leg, the result of damage caused by the drug thalidomide. His appointment to the Circuit Court has been welcomed by the Chief Executive of the Disability Federation of Ireland John Dolan, who said Mr O'Brien would help bring a different perspective to the judiciary.
'I have received great support in North Tipperary since becoming State Solicitor,” Mr O'Brien said. “I am really grateful for it.'
It is understood that he will take up a position in Dublin in the short term.
Members of Tipperary Co Council also joined in congratulating Mr O'Brien on his appointment at meetings in Nenagh last Thursday and Monday.