Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ x ]      Form 40-F [   ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [    ]

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [    ]

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

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On April 24, 2009 the Registrant issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.


(c)     Exhibit 99.1. Press release dated April 24, 2009

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		ICON plc (Registrant)
Date: April 29, 2009		/s/ CIARAN MURRAY Ciaran Murray Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 99.1

ICON Announces Appointment of Dr. Anthony J. Murphy to the Board of Directors

DUBLIN, Ireland, April 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ICON plc (Nasdaq:ICLR) (ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, today announced the appointment of Dr. Anthony J. Murphy as a non-executive Director.

Dr. Murphy was appointed unanimously by ICON's board of directors and in accordance with the company's Articles of Association, will stand for re-election by ICON's shareholders at the Company's next annual general meeting. ICON has also announced that Professor Shuji Higuchi has stepped down from the Board after serving two consecutive three-year terms.

Dr. Murphy, who will retire on May 1st from his position as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, at Eli Lilly and Company, joined Eli Lilly in 1980. He has held a variety of senior personnel positions for Eli Lilly's sales and marketing, administration and manufacturing operations in Europe, North America and Japan. Prior to joining Eli Lilly, Dr. Murphy lectured in industrial relations and worked as a consultant and researcher at the University of Bath, England. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Dr. Murphy received a bachelor's degree in psychology from University College Dublin in 1970 and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Wales in 1975. He is a fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development (U.K.) and a Chartered Psychologist.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Murphy to the ICON Board," commented Chairman, Dr. John Climax. "His global HR experience after almost 30 years at Eli Lilly will be invaluable and will complement the strengths and talents of our existing board members. I would also like to thank Prof. Higuchi for his counsel and advice to our Board over the last six years."

About ICON plc

ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development -- from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON currently has over 7,000 employees, operating from 71 locations in 38 countries. Further information is available at www.iconplc.com.

ICON/ICLR-F

CONTACT:  ICON plc
          Investor Relations
            1-888-381-7923
          Ciaran Murray, CFO
            + 353 -1-291-2000