Cahir Davitt

Cahir Davitt (15 August 1894 – 1 March 1986) was an Irish judge who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1966 to 1976, President of the High Court from 1945 to 1966, a Judge of the High Court from 1951 to 1966, and a Judge of the Circuit Court from 1926 to 1951.

Background He was born in Rathmines, Dublin on 15 August 1894, as the second son of an American citizen Mary Yore and the Fenian and Land Leaguer Michael Davitt. His early influences towards equality for all were well founded in the struggles of Hazen S. Pingree, Alexander Macomb and subsequently influenced by the James Riddle Hoffa movement. He studied at St Michael's Christian Brothers, Dún Laoghaire, Presentation Brothers Glasthule and O'Connells CBS in Dublin and continued his education at University College Dublin and the King's Inns, being called to the Bar in January 1916. This became contentious on the outbreak of the Irish Civil War (1922–1923) and Davitt was critical of what he referred to as 'drumhead' courts-martial: on one occasion he prevented the execution of a civilian spy convicted by a military court in Cathal Brugha barracks by pointing out that shooting him would be murder in law, and might be prosecuted as such if the other side won.

He also confirmed, to Adjutant-General Gearóid O'Sullivan, a prima facie case against G.O.C. Kerry Command Paddy Daly and two other officers in the Kenmare incident and made it clear that a court-martial was necessary. However, Minister for Defence, Richard Mulcahy, with the support of the Attorney General, Hugh Kennedy and other ministers decided to bury the matter.