John Howley

Sir John Bourke Howley (1789-1866) was an Irish barrister and Law Officer who held office as Serjeant-at-law (Ireland) for many years. Despite his obvious desire to be promoted to the Bench, he never became a judge.

He was born at Rich Hill, County Limerick, the second son of John Howley and Anna Bourke, daughter of William Bourke of Pallas, County Tipperary. The Howleys were Roman Catholic merchants from Limerick city (according to family tradition they moved there from Connacht) who prospered in business. John's father bought Rich Hill in the early 19th century.

Career

He was called to the Bar in 1815, became King's Counsel in 1835 and a Bencher of the King's Inns in 1843. He became Third Serjeant in 1843, Second Serjeant in 1851 and First Serjeant from 1851 until his death. He was also appointed Chairman of the Quarter Sessions for County Tipperary, a position which was normally given to a practising barrister with no other official post.

He was severely criticised for "legal pluralism": some of the attacks on him may reflect an objection by conservative Protestants to the increasing number of Roman Catholic judges and Law Officers, but other attacks simply reflect the fact that he was not highly regarded as a lawyer. The office did fall vacant soon after, but Howley was passed over. In 1865 he was knighted, a very unusual honour for a Serjeant-at-law. This appears to have been in the nature of a "consolation prize", and a recognition that at the age of seventy-six, he could not expect to advance further in his career. He died the following year and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.