Stephen Declan Barrett (26 December 1913 – 8 September 1976) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, barrister and judge.

Early life

He was born 26 December 1913 in Cork, second of three children of George Barrett, leader-writer for the ''Cork Examiner'' and later editor of the ''Evening Echo'', and Alice Mary Barrett (née O'Sullivan). His grandfather was Joseph Barrett, Lord Mayor of Cork from 1905 to 1906. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School, Cork, University College Cork, and the

King's Inns The Honorable Society of King's Inns ( ir, Cumann Onórach Óstaí an Rí) is the "Inn of Court" for the Bar of Ireland. Established in 1541, King's Inns is Ireland's oldest school of law and one of Ireland's significant historical environment ...

. He was called to the bar in 1946.

Career

Between September 1931 and 1947 he served on the staff of the '' Cork Examiner'' as reporter, sub-editor, and, finally, chief sub-editor and assistant leader-writer. He was also correspondent for the ''Daily Mail'' and the ''Daily Express'' (1940–1947). In 1947 he left journalism to practise as a barrister on the Munster circuit, and entered politics as a local Fine Gael councillor on Cork Corporation (1950–1973), serving as Lord Mayor in 1961. After two unsuccessful candidatures in 1948 and 1951, he was elected to

Dáil Éireann Dáil Éireann ( , ; ) is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house).Article 15.1.2º of the Constitution of Ireland read ...

as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the

Cork Borough Cork ( , from , meaning 'marsh') is the second largest city in Ireland and third largest city by population on the island of Ireland. It is located in the south-west of Ireland, in the province of Munster. Following an extension to the city's ...

constituency at the 1954 by-election caused by the death of Thomas F. O'Higgins of Fine Gael. He was re-elected at each subsequent general election until he retired from politics at the 1969 general election. Between 1969 and 1972 he served on the

RTÉ (RTÉ) (; Irish language, Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the Public broadcaster, national broadcaster of Republic of Ireland, Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on RTÉ Television, telev ...

authority. Appointed a temporary circuit court judge (November 1973), he was appointed in a permanent capacity for Sligo (February 1974) and was later appointed to Galway. A member of An Taisce and a founder of the Newsboys Club, Cork. His publications included ''Peering at things'' (a weekly humorous series in the ''Cork Examiner'' (c. 1964–1967), many short stories, articles, ''The almost people'' (1973), and a one-act play, ''Credits due''.

Personal life

He married Elizabeth Magnier in 1939, and they had two daughters; Stephanie married

Edward M. Walsh Edward M. Walsh (born 1939), is the founding president of the University of Limerick, one of two new universities established by Ireland in 1989. He headed the institution from its inception as the National Institute for Higher Education Limeric ...

, founding president of the University of Limerick. The family lived at Lucerne, Douglas Road, Cork. He died on 8 September 1976 in the North Infirmary, Cork.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barrett, Stephen 1913 births 1976 deaths Fine Gael TDs Members of the 14th Dáil Members of the 15th Dáil Members of the 16th Dáil Members of the 17th Dáil Members of the 18th Dáil Politicians from County Cork Circuit Court (Ireland) judges Irish barristers Alumni of University College Cork Alumni of King's Inns Lawyers from County Cork 20th-century Irish lawyers Writers from County Cork 20th-century Irish journalists Irish Examiner people People educated at Christian Brothers College, Cork