Robert Eagar

Last updated

The Hon. Mr. Justice
Robert Eagar
Judge of the High Court
In office
30 October 2014 –17 January 2023

Robert Eagar is an Irish lawyer who was a judge of the High Court between October 2014 and January 2023. He was formerly a solicitor with an expertise in criminal law.

Contents

Early life

Eagar was educated at University College Dublin from where he graduated with a BCL degree in 1977. [1] He attended the Law Society of Ireland and was added to the Roll of Solicitors in 1978. [2]

He began his career as a solicitor at the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, a constituent part of the Office of the Attorney General, working there until 1984. [2] In 1982, he was involved in proceedings in the Circuit Court involving a licensing request by the owner of the Stardust nightclub. [3] He was the prosecuting solicitor in a case against Vinnie Doyle and the Irish Independent for a breach of the Official Secrets Act. [4]

He joined the law firm of Garrett Sheehan in 1984, becoming a partner in 1995. [5] His expertise as a solicitor was in criminal law, extradition, asylum law, human rights law and child law. [2] He has represented an anti-war activist convicted of damage to US military property, [6] fugitive solicitor Michael Lynn, [7] the former company secretary of Anglo Irish Bank on trial for tax offences, [8] and a Christian Brother accused of 110 charges of indecent assault. [9] He has also acted as a solicitor for clients accused of murder and fraud. [10] [11] He has acted in cases involving judicial review in the Supreme Court of Ireland and cases in the Court of Criminal Appeal. [5]

In 2008, he called for the Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan Jnr to fund an independent forensic laboratory. [12]

He was a member of the Law Society's Criminal Law Committee and a lecturer in criminal law. [13] [5] He is a former chair of the Dublin Simon Community, a founder of the Irish Refugee Council and board member of the Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School. [2]

Judicial career

Eagar was appointed a Judge of the High Court in October 2014. [14] He has been the presiding judge in cases involving criminal law, [15] defamation law, [16] equality law, [17] medical negligence, [18] judicial review, [19] and refugee law. [20]

He has presided over cases in the Special Criminal Court. [21] He was the judge in bail hearings involving Lisa Smith and those accused of the murder of Ana Kriégel and the kidnapping of Kevin Lunney. [22] [23] [24]

He was a designated judge to report to the Taoiseach on the operation of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009. [25]

He retired as judge in January 2023. [26]

Personal life

Eagar is married to Monica and has two daughters. [26]

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References

  1. ↑ "Recent judicial appointments for our alumni". Facebook. UCD School of Law. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Finn, Christina. "New appointments chosen to fill vacancies in High Court". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "Stardust owner's plea adjourned". The Irish Times. 19 January 1982. p. 11.
  4. ↑ "'Independent' editor fined for breach of Official Secrets Act". The Irish Times. 8 February 1984. p. 12.
  5. 1 2 3 "Bar of Ireland & The Law Society of Ireland Joint Conference: "Sexual and Domestic Violence – Questions for 21st Century Justice"" (PDF). COSC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Sentencing of anti-war activist adjourned again until December". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Mooney, John. "Fugitive lawyer offers to meet fraud squad". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  8. ↑ Tuite, Tom. "Ex-Anglo company secretary to stand trial on tax charges". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Former Christian brother sent for trial on 110 indecent assault charges in late 70s". Limerick Post Newspaper. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "Man charged with Galway murder". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  11. ↑ Carolan, Mary. "Former stockbroker asks court to prevent his trial". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Top law firm critical of forensic services". www.irishexaminer.com. 6 June 2008. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "Two solicitors appointed to the High Court". www.lawsociety.ie. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "Annual Report 2014" (PDF). JAAB. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  15. ↑ "Woman convicted of cruelty to her son". RTÉ News. 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  16. ↑ "Dana denies defamation claims". RTÉ News. 11 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  17. ↑ "Judge awards female army captain €800k in equality case". RTÉ News. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  18. ↑ O'Donnell, Orla (12 November 2018). "Medical clinic apologises in court over woman's death". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  19. ↑ "An Taisce and environmentalist cannot appeal board's decision, court rules". www.irishexaminer.com. 14 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  20. ↑ "Judge slams 'insulting' comments on refugee's beliefs". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "Man guilty of being a member of the IRA". Herald. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  22. ↑ "Lisa Smith granted bail with strict conditions". RTÉ News. 19 December 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  23. ↑ Tuite, Tom. "13-year-old boy accused of murdering Ana Kriegel denied bail". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  24. ↑ "Two men charged over Lunney attack bailed at High Court". RTÉ News. 28 April 2020. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "Report to An Taoiseach" (PDF). Oireachtas.ie. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  26. 1 2 "Mr Justice Bobby Eagar retires from High Court bench". www.lawsociety.ie. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
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