Walter Berwick facts for kids
Walter Berwick (1800–1868) was an Irish judge, who perished in the Abergele rail disaster of 1868. He was a much loved public figure, especially in Cork, where he is commemorated by the Berwick Fountain on the Grand Parade in Cork city. He presided over the official inquiry into the Dolly's Brae conflict in 1849.
Early life
He was born in Leixlip, County Kildare, younger son of the Reverend Edward Berwick (1750–1820), vicar of Leixlip, by his first wife Anne Bermingham of Monkstown, County Dublin. As a result, three magistrates, including Roden, were removed from the Bench. The inquiry also led to the enactment of the Party Processions Act 1850, which prohibited all political processions in Ireland. The measure proved to be equally unpopular with all political parties and was repealed in 1872.
Cork: the Berwick Fountain
For several years he was the Assistant Barrister for the East Riding of County Cork, which in effect meant that he was the Chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions for Cork. He acquired a reputation for integrity and impartiality, and became a much-loved figure in Cork. He was one of the first judges to expound the notion of the suspended sentence. When he was made judge of the Irish Court of Bankruptcy in 1859, the people of Cork paid a heartfelt tribute to his good service to the city. Berwick, greatly touched by the tribute, responded by commissioning the Berwick Fountain "in remembrance of the great kindness shown to me by all classes in Cork". Built by Sir John Benson, Cork's leading architect, it was completed in 1860 and still stands on the Grand Parade, although it was moved from its original site in 2007.
See also
- Abergele rail disaster
- Dolly's Brae conflict
- Grand Parade, Cork
- Party Processions Act
