Redmond John Barry (14 September 1866 – 11 July 1913) was an Irish lawyer and judge who becameLord Chancellor of Ireland; his promising career was cut short by his early death.
He was the third son of Patrick Barry of Hill View,Cork.[1] He was educated at theRoyal University of Ireland, was called to the Bar in 1888 and becameQueen's Counsel in 1899.[2] He was not related to the statesmanJohn Redmond, although as he cheerfully admitted, the widespread belief that he was Redmond's kinsman did no harm to his career.[3] He married Ethel Pyke ofSouthport in 1895.[4]
Barry was appointedSolicitor-General for Ireland in theLiberalgovernment of 1905,[5] and on 6 March 1907 he was elected ina by-election asMember of Parliament forNorth Tyrone.[6] He was promoted toAttorney-General for Ireland in 1909 then raised to the bench asLord Chancellor of Ireland in 1911, serving until his death at age 46.[7] His professional skill is shown by the detailed answers he gave to the House of Commons in 1910, which show both the width of the problems he had to deal with and his efficiency in solving them.[8]
Maurice Healy in his memoirThe Old Munster Circuit praises Barry warmly as a gifted and cultivated lawyer, who left behind him more affectionate memories than any other member of theIrish Bar.[9]
His son,Sir Patrick Barry, became an EnglishHigh Court judge.
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| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forTyrone North 1907–1911 | Succeeded by |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by | Solicitor-General for Ireland 1905–1909 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Attorney-General for Ireland 1909–1911 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1911–1913 | Succeeded by |
