CONCORD - Michael Ryan of Goffstown won confirmation Wednesday to become the third, full-time judge at Nashua District Court.

The Executive Council approved, 5-0, Gov. John Lynch's nomination. Ryan, 55, has been a part-time judge since 1999 handling cases throughout the district court system.

Last year, 26 different judges had to preside in Nashua to help handle the workload, along with associate justices James Leary and Thomas Bamberger.

The Legislature passed a state law in 2006 creating the third judge and approved the money for it in the state budget a year later.

The council also confirmed part-time judge John Emery of Bedford to a full-time post at Manchester District Court.