Catherine McGuinness (born 14 November 1934) is a retired judge and activist. She is a former barrister, Senator, President of the Law Reform Commission and judge of the Circuit Court, justice of the High Court and Supreme Court of Ireland. In January 2012 she was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D. Higgins. In May 2013 she was appointed Chair of the National University of Ireland Galway Governing Authority.Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, McGuinness was educated in Alexandra College, Trinity College Dublin and the King's Inns. In the 1960s she worked for the Labour Party. She was called to the Irish bar in 1977 at age 42. In 1989 she was called to the Inner Bar. Wikipedia