Ex-Northern Ireland chief justice allegedly ‘disliked Jews as much as Catholics’

Concerns were raised about a former chief justice of Northern Ireland over allegations he “dislikes Jews as much as he dislikes Catholics”, according to newly released confidential documents. Mr Justice Robert Lowry, who presided over scores of non-jury trials of Republicans during the Troubles, held the role between 1971 and 1989. His duties included sitting as the president of the High Court, which became the focus of a discussion on judicial appointments between leading Belfast-based Catholic lawyer PJ McGrory and senior Irish Department of Foreign Affairs official Daithi O Ceallagh in 1985.

Mr McGrory believed that Ronnie Appleton, a highly-regarded lawyer who led the successful prosecution of the Irish National Liberation Army’s Dominic McGlinchey, was “a strong contender” for a bench appointment. Mr Appleton played “an essential role” in McGlinchey’s conviction because he came up with “the brilliant idea” of getting an affidavit filed to a Dublin court when he had been charged with IRA membership. Mr McGrory told Mr O Ceallagh that McGlinchey, who had admitted being a member of an IRA unit in South Derry, could not have been convicted without those affidavits, which were made after the request for extradition to Northern Ireland.

Mr O Ceallagh noted in the Department of Foreign Affairs file: “The McGlinchey trial had important political consequences for Unionists and Lowry tried to ensure a conviction. Appleton is therefore, as it were, owed one.�.