Bernard Barton (judge)

Bernard Barton
Judge of the High Court
In office
3 April 2014 – 10 March 2021
Nominated byGovernment of Ireland
Appointed byMichael D. Higgins
Personal details
BornBernard Joseph Barton
1951 (1951)
Limerick, Ireland
Died6 August 2026(2026-08-06) (aged 74–75)
SpouseAnne Marie Barton
Children4
Education

Bernard Joseph Barton (1951 – 6 August 2026) was an Irish judge who served as a Judge of the High Court from 2014 to 2021.

Early life and education

Barton was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1951.[1] He was educated in Glenstal Abbey School, University College Dublin, the Irish Management Institute and the King's Inns.

Barton became a barrister in 1977 and a senior counsel in 1997.[1] His practice as a barrister was focused on tort, contract and personal injury litigation. He also lectured in the King's Inns.[1]

Judicial career

Barton was appointed to the High Court in April 2014.[2] Barton heard a variety of criminal and civil matters in the High Court. He heard cases including proceedings involving extradition,[3] examinership,[4] judicial review,[5] employment law,[6] and personal injuries.[7]

In 2020, Barton became the judge in Charge of the Jury List of the High Court.[8][9]

He heard several notable defamation cases. In 2018 he was the trial judge for Paudie Coffey against the Kilkenny People,[10] Paddy McKillen against the Irish Daily Mail,[11] and Maurice McCabe against The Irish Times.[12] He presided over Denis O'Brien against The Sunday Business Post[13] and Gerald Kean against the Irish Daily Star in 2019.[14]

Barton issued an arrest warrant for a juror who failed to return to court during a defamation case in July 2019.[15]

He retired as a judge in March 2021.[16][17]

Personal life and death

Barton was married to Anne Marie with whom he has four children.[18] He was a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem and a former Grand Prior of the Grand Priory of Ireland.[19] Prior to his appointment to the High Court, he was a member of Fine Gael.[20] Barton died after a short illness on 6 August 2026.[21][22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Appointments to the High Court". merrionstreet.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "President appoints Mr. Bernard Joseph Barton S.C." president.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  3. ↑ "Extradition of Czech man cleared after seven years on run". The Irish Times. 3 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  4. ↑ "Examiner appointed to Shannon aircraft company". www.irishexaminer.com. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  5. ↑ Carolan, Mary (25 February 2016). "High Court overturns permission for Cork wind farm". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "Richard Grogan: What does the law say about holding disciplinary hearings?". Irish Legal News. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  7. ↑ "Gardener awarded €100,800 after he sued employer over wrist injury". Independent.ie. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  8. ↑ "General Notices: 12 February 2020 - HC Judges Hilary '20". Courts.ie. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. ↑ "Notice - High Court Michaelmas Term - Assignment of Judges". Courts Service. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "FG senator: article called me a 'robber' and cost me my Dáil seat". Independent.ie. 21 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  11. ↑ "Developer Paddy McKillen receives apology from Irish Daily Mail in High Court". Breaking News. 3 July 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "Irish Times apologises to Sgt McCabe in defamation case". RTÉ News. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  13. ↑ Healy, Tim (2 March 2019). "Tycoon O'Brien loses his libel case and faces legal bill of up to €1m". Herald.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  14. ↑ Irish Times. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "Warrant for juror who failed to turn up after lunch break". The Irish Times. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  16. ↑ "Circuit Court conference date postponement". www.lawsociety.ie. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Carolan, Mary (9 March 2021). "Judge questions if insurers will pass personal injury savings to customers". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  18. ↑ "The ultimate Victorian on elegant Dún Laoghaire park for €2.275m". The Irish Times. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem - Ireland - H. E. the Chev. Bernard J. Barton, GCLJ Appointed as Judge of the High Court". www.st-lazarus.net. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  20. ↑ "Cabinet nominates judges for High Court". Independent.ie. 13 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  21. ↑ "Bernard Barton". RIP.ie. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Retired High Court judge Bernard Barton dies after short illness". Irish Times. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
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