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Warm tributes to late Mr Justice Robert Eagar

The Courts Service has said that Mr Justice Robert Eagar, retired Judge of the High Court, has died.

Described as having a strong social conscience, Mr Justice Eagar was also known as an outstanding criminal-defence advocate, who advocated tirelessly for the less fortunate in society.

In his younger years, he was a committed volunteer with the Dublin Simon Community, eventually serving as chair.

He was also a founding member of the Irish Refugee Council.

A solicitor prior to his appointment to the High Court bench, Mr Justice Eagar retired as a judge on 17 January 2023.

At that time, Law Society President Maura Derivan said that his was a varied career with many highlights, always with a drive to improve the criminal-justice system in the public interest, from his earliest days as a young lawyer working with Garrett Sheehan.

Champion of reform

He constantly compaigned for better resources and championed reforms to criminal-law legislation.

In May, 2019, as guest speaker at a Law Society parchment ceremony, Mr Justice Eagar called for restoration of rates of legal aid for criminal defence solicitors, which had remained at Great Recession levels, despite economic improvement.

Compassion and dignity were markers of his career as a judge, the Law Society President said at the time of Mr Justice Eagar's retirement.

Presiding over cases involving asylum, human rights, and equality law, he witnessed first-hand the impact the law can have on people and society, and the vital role of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law in the public interest.

Lifelong advocate

He was a lifelong advocate for access to justice, who demonstrated a deep understanding of the law and application of the rights of citizens, Maura Derivan said.

A friend of the Law Society and the solicitors’ profession in the truest sense, very many trainees had benefitted from Mr Justice Eagar's knowledge and guidance in criminal-law lectures, she added.

The Law Society President thanked Mr Justice Eagar at the time for his long contribution to upholding the rule of law and improving access to justice.

His appointment to the High Court in 2014 was a moment of great pride for his solicitor colleagues, she said.

Funeral arrangements for Mr Justice Eagar will be published shortly.

May he rest in peace.