Supreme Court Justice Adrian Hardiman RIP

kevincaomhin

I was really saddened to hear about his death this morning.

In my opinion, whether or not you agree with his views, he was one of the great Irish judges. Absolutely fearless.

His judgment in JC is just the latest example (paragraph 30 in particular);

http://www.supremecourt.ie/Judgments.nsf/1b0757edc371032e802572ea0061450e/285b25317187412480257e280050f5b4?OpenDocument

gizmo555

Terrible news, for his family and the country. RIP.

MarkAnthony

Bloody hell, I didn't think he was that old.

12Phase

That's sad news. He's only 65.

Paz-CCFC

Jesus, that's some shock. Couldn't believe it when I saw it. He still had another five years left until retirement. Would he have been the most likely to succeed Denham as Chief Justice?

Do bhí Hardiman mar dhuine des na breithimh ab’fhearr a bhí againn sa tír seo. Is mór an cumas atá ag duine chun dul díreach ón Bharra go dtí an Chúirt Uachtarach. Mar chomh-Ghaeilgeoir is mar dhuine go bhfuil suim agam i gcearta na dteangacha, ba mhór an dúil a bhí agam ina bhreithiúnais i bhfabhar na Gaelainne. Timpeall na hama san, ba chuma an scéil ná go raibh roinnt breithimh sásta gan aird a thabhairt ar stádas bunreachtúil na teangan – agus go rabhadar sásta go raibh an Stát á dhéanamh, chomh maith. Do dhein Hardiman a mhalairt. D’aithin sé is do chin sé go bhfuil cearta ag Gaeilgeoirí sa dlí, mar atá ag Béarlóirí. Sílim gur tháinig roinnt mór-athruithe as a gcuid breithiúnas – msh, Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, a thuilleadh dátheangachas sa dlí srl. Ní bheadh stádas na Gaelainne mar an gcéanna sa lá atá inniu ann muna mbeadh Hardimann sa Chúirt Uachtarach. Ní bheidh a leithéid aríst.

Hardiman is among the greatest judges we've had. It takes serious talent to go straight from the Bar to the Supreme Court. As a fellow Gaeilgeoir and someone who's interested in language rights, I was particularly fond of the stance that he took in favour of the Irish language. In an era where perhaps some judges seemed willing to ignore the constitutional status of the first official language - and allow the State to do likewise - Hardiman was not happy to follow suit. He recognised that Gaeilgeoirí have rights in their language, just as English speakers do in theirs. I believe that some major changes came from his judgments - eg, the Official Languages Act, more bilingualism in law etc. The status of Irish would not be the same today if he were never a Supreme Court judge. Ní bheidh a leithéid aríst.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

NUTLEY BOY

He leaves an exemplary legacy in respect of what a good judge does.

As a barrister, his advocacy was terrific to see in action.