Tom O'Higgins | |
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6th Chief Justice of Ireland | |
In office 17 October 1974 – 1 October 1985 | |
Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
Appointed by | Erskine H. Childers |
Preceded by | William FitzGerald |
Succeeded by | Thomas Finlay |
Judge of the European Court of Justice | |
In office 3 October 1985 – 8 March 1991 | |
Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
Appointed by | European Council |
Judge of the Supreme Court | |
In office 14 May 1974 – 1 October 1985 | |
Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
Appointed by | Erskine H. Childers |
Judge of the High Court | |
In office 30 July 1973 – 14 May 1974 | |
Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
Appointed by | Erskine H. Childers |
Deputy leader of Fine Gael | |
In office 20 April 1972 – 14 September 1977 | |
Leader | Liam Cosgrave |
Preceded by | New office |
Succeeded by | Peter Barry |
Minister for Health | |
In office 2 June 1954 – 20 March 1957 | |
Taoiseach | John A. Costello |
Preceded by | James Ryan |
Succeeded by | Seán MacEntee |
Teachta Dála | |
In office June 1969 – February 1973 | |
Constituency | Dublin County South |
In office February 1948 – June 1969 | |
Constituency | Laois-Offaly |
Personal details | |
Born | Cork, Ireland | 23 July 1916
Died | 25 February 2003 Dublin, Ireland | (aged 86)
Resting place | Shanganagh Cemetery, Shankill, Dublin, Ireland |
Political party | Fine Gael |
Spouse |
Therese Keane (m. 1940) |
Children | 7 |
Parent |
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Relatives |
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Education | |
Alma mater | |
Thomas Francis O'Higgins (23 July 1916 – 25 February 2003) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, barrister and judge who served as Chief Justice of Ireland and a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1974 to 1985, a Judge of the European Court of Justice from 1985 to 1991, a Judge of the High Court from 1973 to 1974, Deputy leader of Fine Gael from 1972 to 1977 and Minister for Health from 1954 to 1957. He also served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1948 to 1969.[1]
Part of a new generation of Fine Gael leaders who emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, O'Higgins worked alongside Declan Costello and Garret FitzGerald to liberalise the conservative Fine Gael.[2][3] In the late 1960s, and early 1970s, O'Higgins twice contested the presidency of Ireland for his party; in his first attempt in 1966, he lost by 1% of the vote against incumbent President Éamon de Valera. In the aftermath, his personal image was greatly enhanced and he was catapulted into the position of deputy leader of Fine Gael. Despite being the initial favourite to win, O'Higgins lost the 1973 Irish presidential election to Erskine H. Childers.[2]
In 1973, O'Higgins became a High Court judge and the following year was named Chief Justice of Ireland and a Supreme Court judge. Although a liberal politician, O'Higgins was considered by many a conservative judge, given his rulings on matters such as contraceptives and homosexuality. In 1985, O'Higgins became a member of the European Court of Justice following his nomination by Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and his government. He served on the court in Luxembourg until his retirement in 1991.[2]
DIB
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Regarded as a radical politician within conservative-leaning Fine Gael, he supported the Just Society policies published by Mr Justice Declan Costello in the mid-1960s and made common cause with Dr Garret FitzGerald and others who sought to modernise the party.