Eileen Kennedy (judge) facts for kids

Eileen Kennedy (born 1914 – died 11 October 1983) was an important Irish District Court judge. She made history in 1964 by becoming the first female judge in the Republic of Ireland. She was appointed to the District Court and also served in the Metropolitan Children's Court.

Early Life and Family

Eileen Kennedy was born in Dublin. She came from a family with many people working in law. Her father, Patrick J. Kennedy, was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. Her two brothers, John and James, also became solicitors. John was even a District Justice and a Coroner, like Eileen would later become.

Eileen grew up in Carrickmacross from 1918 onwards. She went to school at St Louis Convent. After school, she trained to be a nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin. She worked as a nurse for eight years, starting in 1935. This included serving as an Army Nurse during a period known as the Emergency in Ireland.

A Trailblazing Legal Career

Eileen Kennedy decided to change careers and became a solicitor in 1947. She worked at her father's law firm in Carrickmacross. In 1960, she was appointed as a Coroner for south Monaghan. A coroner investigates deaths that are sudden or unexplained.

In 1964, Eileen Kennedy made history. She was appointed as the first female Justice to the District Court. At the same time, she also became a Justice of the Metropolitan Children's Court. When she first appeared in court, it was quite unusual to see a woman judge. People were also surprised because she was the first judge to appear without her head covered. Many people came to court just to see this new sight.

The Kennedy Report

In 1967, the Minister for Education, Donogh O'Malley, asked Eileen Kennedy to lead a special committee. This committee's job was to study and report on the system of reformatory and industrial schools in Ireland. These were places where children who were in trouble or needed care were sent.

The committee's report was published in 1970 and became known as the Kennedy Report. It was considered very important and new for its time. The report suggested many changes, including closing some of the reformatories. It aimed to improve the way children were cared for in these institutions.

Working for Women's Rights

In April 1970, the Taoiseach (Ireland's Prime Minister), Jack Lynch, asked Eileen Kennedy to join another important group. This was the Commission on the Status of Women. This commission looked at the rights and position of women in Irish society.

The commission made important recommendations. They suggested introducing laws to ensure equal pay for women and men. They also recommended removing the "marriage bar," which was a rule that often forced women to leave their jobs when they got married.

Later Life and Death

Eileen Kennedy died in Galway Regional Hospital in 1983. She had a heart attack while on holiday in Connemara. She was 69 years old and was planning to retire the following May.