Robert Eagar
Robert Eagar | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the High Court | |
| In office 30 October 2014 – 17 January 2023 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | |
Robert Eagar is a retired Irish judge who served as a Judge of the High Court from 2014 to 2023.
Early life
[edit]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]
Legal career
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Eagar is married to Monica and has two daughters.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ "Recent judicial appointments for our alumni". Facebook. UCD School of Law. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ "Stardust owner's plea adjourned". The Irish Times. 19 January 1982. p. 11.
- ^ "'Independent' editor fined for breach of Official Secrets Act". The Irish Times. 8 February 1984. p. 12.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "Sentencing of anti-war activist adjourned again until December". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Mooney, John. "Fugitive lawyer offers to meet fraud squad". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Man charged with Galway murder". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Carolan, Mary. "Former stockbroker asks court to prevent his trial". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Two solicitors appointed to the High Court". www.lawsociety.ie. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Annual Report 2014" (PDF). JAAB. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Woman convicted of cruelty to her son". RTÉ News. 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Dana denies defamation claims". RTÉ News. 11 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Judge slams 'insulting' comments on refugee's beliefs". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Man guilty of being a member of the IRA". Herald. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Lisa Smith granted bail with strict conditions". RTÉ News. 19 December 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Report to An Taoiseach" (PDF). Oireachtas.ie. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Mr Justice Bobby Eagar retires from High Court bench". www.lawsociety.ie. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.