Robert Holmes (barrister)

Robert Holmes (1765–7 October 1859) was an Irish lawyer and nationalist.

Holmes was born in Dublin in 1765, the son of parents who were natives of Antrim. He studied law and became one of the best known defenders of the Nationalist Leaders in IrelandP. A. Sillard, Life of John Mitchel, James Duffy and Co. Ltd, 1908] .

Education

Robert Holmes was educated in Trinity College, Dublin, which he entered in 1782 and where he distinguished himself. He had a great interest in science, although going on to study law. After being called to the Bar, he spent a substantial period of his professional life travelling the north-east circuit in Ireland, where he gained a reputation for great ability and legal skill.

Defence Counsel

His skill as a defender was abundantly demonstrated in his speech in 1846 in the defence of Charles Gavan Duffy, editor of The Nation. Duffy had been indicted over an article written by John Mitchel, which came to be known as the "Railway Article". Holmes' defence proved successful, and his speech on behalf of his client was described by Chief Justice Pennefeather as "the most eloquent ever heard in a court of Justice".

Career

Robert Holmes remained all his life at the "outer bar", and although as a Protestant he could have risen to the Bench, in the words of his biographer P.A. Sillard he "scorned to rustle in the official livery of an English Government", and preferred to remain in the relative "but honourable" obscurity of his choice. Holmes’ career at the bar was, again according to Sillard, throughout an "honourable one" and his "eloquence" was always enlisted on the side of "truth and justice".

Marriage and Family

Holmes married the sister of Robert Emmet, who led an unsuccessful rebellion in 1803, and whose brother, Thomas Addis Emmet, was a leading member, with Wolfe Tone, of the United Irishmen; both took part in the Rebellion of 1798. Holmes' marriage produced one child, a daughter, who later married George Lenox Conyngham and in turn had an only daughter who in 1861 married Viscount Doneraile.

After his retirement in 1852 he resided in London with his only child Elizabeth, wife of George William Lenox-Conyngham, chief clerk of the foreign office. He died at her home, 37 Eaton Place, Belgrave Square, London, aged 94.

Published Works

During the course of his life Holmes was the author of three published works: the first, published in 1799, was entitled "A Demonstration of the Necessity of the Legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland", a satirical pamphlet ridiculing the arguments of its supporters. The next was "An Address to the Yeomanry of Ireland, demonstrating the necessity of their declaring their opinions upon Political Subjects." His most important work however, according to P.A. Sillard, was "The Case of Ireland Stated," which apparently went through six editions, the last in 1847.

Books by Young Irelanders (Irish Confederation)

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References

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External links

"To be merged":Holmes, whose father was settled at Belfast, was born during a visit of his parents to Dublin in 1765, entered Trinity College in 1782, and graduated B.A. in 1787. He at first devoted himself to medicine, but he soon turned his attention to the law. In 1795 he was called to the bar, and married Mary Emma, daughter of Dr. Robert Emmet. She died of a brain fever after hearing of the execution of her brother Robert Emmet in 1803.

In 1798 Holmes, during a parade of the lawyers corps of yeomanry, of which he was a member, threw down his arms on learning that the corps was to be placed under the military authorities, dreading lest he might have to act against the populace. To one Joy, a barrister, who had used insulting language to him respecting this circumstance, he sent a challenge, for which he suffered three months' imprisonment.

In 1799 he published a satirical pamphlet on the projected act of union, entitled "A Demonstration of the Necessity of the Legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland." With the rising of his brother-in-law, Emmet, on 23 July 1803, he had no connection, although he was arrested on suspicion and imprisoned for some months. This retarded his advancement, but his legal ability soon asserted itself. He declined to receive any favours from the government, refusing in succession the offices of crown prosecutor, king's counsel, and solicitor-general, and to the last he remained a member of the outer bar. Nevertheless he had for many years the largest practice of any member of the Irish courts, and was listened to with the greatest attention by the judges, although he was not always very civil to them.

His great learning is conspicuous in his law arguments, which form a valuable set of articles in the "Irish Law Reports." He was also in great repute in cases submitted for his opinion. He was a powerful and impressive advocate, and several of his speeches to juries are fine specimens of forensic eloquence, notably his speeches in Watson v. Dill, in defence of the "Nation" newspaper, and his oration on behalf of John Mitchel, tried for treason-felony on 24 May 1848. During the course of his practice he made over 100,000 Pounds.

He published "An Address to the Yeomanry of Ireland, demonstrating the Necessity of their declaring their Opinions upon Political Subjects," and in 1847 "The Case of Ireland stated," an able work on the repeal of the union.

When his age prevented his continuing on circuit, the members of the north-east bar presented him with an address, and placed his bust in the bar mess-room.