Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson (27 October 1937 – 4 August 2019) was an Irish judge who served as President of the High Court from 2006 to 2009 and a Judge of the High Court from 1987 to 2009.

Johnson was also under the terms of the Constitution of Ireland by that office an ex-officio member of the Supreme Court. In the absence of the Chief Justice, he acted as a member of the Presidential Commission.

Johnson was born in Blennerville, County Kerry, and studied law at University College Dublin (UCD). He qualified as a barrister at the King's Inns in 1960. He practised on the South Western Circuit (Kerry, Limerick and Clare) until he became Senior Counsel in 1977. As a Senior Counsel, he practised on the Munster Circuit and in Dublin until 1987. He was appointed a High Court judge in 1987. Mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely supported the proposal as a response to the continuing increase in murders in Ireland.

Johnson died in Merrion Road, Dublin on 4 August 2019, at the age of 81.