Dermot Gleeson facts for kids

Dermot Gleeson, born on April 22, 1948, is a well-known Irish lawyer. He served as the main legal advisor to the Irish government, called the Attorney General of Ireland, from 1994 to 1997.

Early Life and Education

Dermot Gleeson went to school at Blackrock College in Dublin. He also studied at University College Dublin. He earned degrees in law and became a lawyer, known as a barrister, at King's Inns in Dublin.

His father was also a barrister and later became a judge. Two of Dermot's brothers are also barristers. Dermot Gleeson officially became a barrister in Ireland in 1970. He first worked as a lawyer in Cork, which is a city away from Dublin. In the early 1970s, he also taught law at University College Cork for a while.

Becoming a Senior Lawyer

In 1979, when Dermot Gleeson was only 30 years old, he moved to Dublin. He was appointed a Senior Counsel. This is a special title for very experienced and skilled barristers. People believe he was the youngest person in the common law world to get this title in the last century.

Working for the Government

In the 1980s and 1990s, Dermot Gleeson was a leading barrister in Ireland. From 1994 to 1997, he became the Attorney General of Ireland. In this important role, he was the chief legal advisor to the Irish government. He worked closely with the head of the government, who is called the Taoiseach, John Bruton.

Dermot Gleeson is also a Bencher of King's Inns. This means he is a senior member of the legal society. He is also a visiting fellow at the School of Law at University College Dublin.

Business Career

Later in his career, Dermot Gleeson became known for his work in business. In 2000, he joined the board of a large media company called Independent News and Media Plc. In 2003, he became the Chairman of Allied Irish Banks, which is one of Ireland's biggest banks.

His time leading AIB Group happened during a difficult period for banks around the world. In 2003, Gleeson was also appointed as an ombudsman for the Diamond Trading Company (DTC). This company is part of the huge diamond mining company, De Beers. In 2007, he became the chairman of the Governing Body of University College, Cork.

Other Interests

Dermot Gleeson was once the Auditor of the Literary and Historical Society, University College Dublin. This is a well-known debating society. He also won the Irish Times National Debating Championship.

He currently lives in Dublin. He is married and has four children.

See also

• Auditors of the Literary and Historical Society (University College Dublin)