The Courts Service confirmed that Desmond A Zaidan will be take up the position in Kildare later this month.

A replacement for Judge Zaidan is yet to be announced but it is expected that Co. Leitrim-based solicitor Kevin Kilraine, who is to be appointed to the bench by the cabinet on Thursday, will be given the posting.

Lebanese-born Judge Zaidan was appointed to the bench 16 months ago and took over from Judge John O'Donnell on his retirement.

Based in Co. Meath, Judge Zaidan will be posted to a new district court area created under a recent realignment of the courts in the east. Kildare was included in court districts which included parts of Carlow and Wicklow and the realignment comes as part of the Courts Service review of district courts throughout the country.

Another judge familiar to the Donegal's district courts who is on the move is Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick . Judge Fitzpatrick has been working as a "moveable" judge across the north west and has been appointed to the bench in Meath.