Tony Hunt (judge)
{{short description|Irish barrister, High Court judge since 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Hon. Mr. Justice
| name = Tony Hunt
| image =
| office = Judge of the High Court
| term_start = 30 October 2014
| term_end =
| nominator = Government of Ireland
| appointer = Michael D. Higgins
| office1 = Judge of the Circuit Court
| term_start1 = 15 May 2007
| term_end1 = 30 October 2014
| nominator1 = Government of Ireland
| appointer1 = Mary McAleese
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Irish
| party =
| spouse =
| children =
| education =
| alma_mater = {{Ubl|University College Dublin|King's Inns}}
| signature =
|}}
Tony Hunt is an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of the High Court since October 2014, and is the senior presiding judge of the Special Criminal Court. He previously served as a Judge of the Circuit Court from 2007 and 2014.
Education
Hunt attended University College Dublin from where he obtained a BCL degree in 1984.{{cite web |title=Recent judicial appointments for our alumni |url=https://www.facebook.com/UCDSchoolofLaw/photos/a.152600021430997.31865.152283968129269/901238559900469/?type=3 |publisher=UCD School of Law |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922012106/https://www.facebook.com/UCDSchoolofLaw/photos/a.152600021430997.31865.152283968129269/901238559900469/?type=3 |url-status=live }} He subsequently attended the King's Inns to study to become a barrister.{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Christina |title=New appointments chosen to fill vacancies in High Court |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/high-court-vacancies-1738508-Oct2014/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=TheJournal.ie |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628181350/https://www.thejournal.ie/high-court-vacancies-1738508-Oct2014/ |url-status=live }}
Legal career
Hunt was called to the Bar in 1986. He was an appointee of the Bar Council to the Superior Court Rules Committee.{{cite web |title=Courts Service Annual Report 2005 |url=http://www.jaab.ie/Courts.ie/library3.nsf/(WebFiles)/BF9F3726E14052BA802571AF0039262F/$FILE/CS%20Annual%20Report%202005%20-%20pt%202.pdf |website=Courts Service |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627221451/http://www.jaab.ie/Courts.ie/library3.nsf/(WebFiles)/BF9F3726E14052BA802571AF0039262F/$FILE/CS%20Annual%20Report%202005%20-%20pt%202.pdf |url-status=live }}
Much of his practice was spent appearing in criminal trials as prosecuting counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions. He acted in trials involving assault,{{cite news |title=Woman denies slashing other woman's face |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/woman-denies-slashing-other-womans-face-59340.html |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=www.irishexaminer.com |date=11 July 2002 |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627201551/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/woman-denies-slashing-other-womans-face-59340.html |url-status=live }} sexual assault,{{cite news |title=French woman tells court of sexual assault in Cork |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/french-woman-tells-court-of-sexual-assault-in-cork-169653.html |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=www.irishexaminer.com |date=5 October 2004 |language=en |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626014803/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/french-woman-tells-court-of-sexual-assault-in-cork-169653.html |url-status=live }} manslaughter,{{cite news |title=Father (38) guilty of manslaughter |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/father-38-guilty-of-manslaughter-25989945.html |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=independent |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628023249/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/father-38-guilty-of-manslaughter-25989945.html |url-status=live }} drugs offences,{{cite news |title=Kenyan remanded after his 'naive' drugs smuggling bid |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kenyan-remanded-after-his-naive-drugs-smuggling-bid-1.1135148 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191043/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kenyan-remanded-after-his-naive-drugs-smuggling-bid-1.1135148 |url-status=live }} and tax offences.{{cite news |title=F&M smuggler now to face trial over tax offences |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/f-m-smuggler-now-to-face-trial-over-tax-offences-1.1052862 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191020/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/f-m-smuggler-now-to-face-trial-over-tax-offences-1.1052862 |url-status=live }} He acted for defendants in traffic offences,{{cite news |title=Driving ban on director lifted |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/driving-ban-on-director-lifted-1.218373 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191016/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/driving-ban-on-director-lifted-1.218373 |url-status=live }} and sexual assault cases.{{cite news |title=Tallaght resident convicted of sex assault is banned from area |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/tallaght-resident-convicted-of-sex-assault-is-banned-from-area-1.253114 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629043125/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/tallaght-resident-convicted-of-sex-assault-is-banned-from-area-1.253114 |url-status=live }}
Hunt also represented clients in cases involving injunctions,{{cite news |last1=Managh |first1=Ray |title=Farmers restrained from picketing B of I |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/farmers-restrained-from-picketing-b-of-i-1.1171161 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191019/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/farmers-restrained-from-picketing-b-of-i-1.1171161 |url-status=live }} contracts,{{cite news |title=Compensation of €25,000 ordered for burned digger |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/compensation-of-25-000-ordered-for-burned-digger-1.416075 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191016/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/compensation-of-25-000-ordered-for-burned-digger-1.416075 |url-status=live }} and personal injuries.{{cite news |title=Prison officer broke her nose during training |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/prison-officer-broke-her-nose-during-training-1.209028 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923191023/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/prison-officer-broke-her-nose-during-training-1.209028 |url-status=live }}
Judicial career
= Circuit Court =
His career on the bench began in May 2007 when he was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court.{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2007 |url=http://www.jaab.ie/en/JAAB/JAAB%20Annual%20Report%202007.pdf/Files/JAAB%20Annual%20Report%202007.pdf |website=JAAB |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031215838/http://www.jaab.ie/en/JAAB/JAAB%20Annual%20Report%202007.pdf/Files/JAAB%20Annual%20Report%202007.pdf |url-status=live }} From March 2012, he was assigned to the Midland Circuit.
He was a member of the Circuit Court Rules Committee.{{cite web |title=Courts Service Annual Report 2010 |url=http://www.jaab.ie/Courts.ie/library3.nsf/(WebFiles)/3E46A4BB9EB9B93280257CB70050B063/$FILE/Courts%20Service%20Annual%20Report%202010.pdf |website=Courts.ie |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627032035/http://www.jaab.ie/Courts.ie/library3.nsf/(WebFiles)/3E46A4BB9EB9B93280257CB70050B063/$FILE/Courts%20Service%20Annual%20Report%202010.pdf |url-status=live }} He replaced Yvonne Murphy as a member of the Working Group on Efficiency Measures in the Criminal Justice System for the Circuit and District Courts in February 2012.{{cite web |title=Report of the Working Group on Efficiency Measures in the Criminal Justice System - Circuit and District Courts |url=http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Report%20of%20the%20Working%20Group%20on%20Efficiency%20Measures%20in%20the%20Criminal%20Justice%20System%20-%2030.11.12.pdf/Files/Report%20of%20the%20Working%20Group%20on%20Efficiency%20Measures%20in%20the%20Criminal%20Justice%20System%20-%2030.11.12.pdf |website=justice.ie |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archive-date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010191337/http://justice.ie/en/JELR/Report%20of%20the%20Working%20Group%20on%20Efficiency%20Measures%20in%20the%20Criminal%20Justice%20System%20-%2030.11.12.pdf/Files/Report%20of%20the%20Working%20Group%20on%20Efficiency%20Measures%20in%20the%20Criminal%20Justice%20System%20-%2030.11.12.pdf |url-status=live }}
= High Court =
Hunt was elevated to the High Court in October 2014, coinciding with multiple vacancies created on the court following the creation by the Court of Appeal.{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2014 |url=http://www.jaab.ie/en/JAAB/Annual%20Report%202014%20Final%20Version.pdf/Files/Annual%20Report%202014%20Final%20Version.pdf |website=JAAB |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031231656/http://www.jaab.ie/en/JAAB/Annual%20Report%202014%20Final%20Version.pdf/Files/Annual%20Report%202014%20Final%20Version.pdf |url-status=live }}
Hunt frequently hears cases from the Central Criminal Court, including those involving murder,{{cite news |title=Dublin man found guilty of Tallaght murder in 2017 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/1221/1018630-keith-connorton-court/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=21 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628232051/https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/1221/1018630-keith-connorton-court/ |url-status=live }} manslaughter,{{cite news |title=Former soldier pleads guilty to manslaughter |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/1103/917287-former-soldier/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=3 November 2017 |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627004916/https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/1103/917287-former-soldier/ |url-status=live }} and rape.{{cite news |title=Traveller group says State failed women in rape case |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0616/1147697-tipperary-family-rape-case/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=16 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628153228/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0616/1147697-tipperary-family-rape-case/ |url-status=live }} In 2015, he was the judge in the trial of Graham Dwyer arising out of the murder of Elaine O'Hara. The trial lasted 46 days and attracted much media and public attention.{{cite news |title='I agree 110pc with the guilty verdict,' says judge |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/graham-dwyer-trial/i-agree-110pc-with-the-guilty-verdict-says-judge-31101289.html |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=Irish Independent |language=en |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626014801/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/graham-dwyer-trial/i-agree-110pc-with-the-guilty-verdict-says-judge-31101289.html |url-status=live }} In 2023, he was the judge in the trial of Jozef Puška, arising out of the high-profile murder of Ashling Murphy.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Judge tells jury in Ashling Murphy murder trial that they must base their verdict solely on evidence |url=https://www.independent.ie/videos/judge-tells-jury-in-ashling-murphy-murder-trial-that-they-must-base-their-verdict-solely-on-evidence/a1010940547.html |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Independent.ie |language=en}} Hunt has also heard extradition applications.{{cite news |title=Bailey extradition hearing to take place next month |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2020/0120/1108610-ian-bailey/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=20 January 2020 |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628002925/https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2020/0120/1108610-ian-bailey/ |url-status=live }}
He is the senior presiding judge of the Special Criminal Court.{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Conor |last2=O’Riordan |first2=Alison |title=Senior judge says he was not told of plan to suspend second non-jury court |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/senior-judge-says-he-was-not-told-of-plan-to-suspend-second-non-jury-court-1.3997997 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108003415/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/senior-judge-says-he-was-not-told-of-plan-to-suspend-second-non-jury-court-1.3997997 |url-status=live }} He has heard cases concerning dissident republicanism and the Hutch–Kinahan feud, including the shooting of Gareth Hutch,{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=Fergal |title=Three given life sentences for murder of Gareth Hutch |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/1102/1008229-gareth-hutch-courts/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=2 November 2018 |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628174633/https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2018/1102/1008229-gareth-hutch-courts/ |url-status=live }} Dessie O'Hare,{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Paul |title=Dessie O'Hare jailed for assault and false imprisonment |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2019/0411/1042028-dessie-ohare/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=11 April 2019 |language=en |archive-date=9 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609072242/https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2019/0411/1042028-dessie-ohare/ |url-status=live }} and the kidnapping of Kevin Lunney.{{cite news |title=Vehicle held by gardaí in Lunney inquiry burned |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2020/0610/1146595-kevin-lunney-case-special-criminal-court/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=10 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626143713/https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2020/0610/1146595-kevin-lunney-case-special-criminal-court/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=Fergal |title=Two men in court charged with IRA membership |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2019/0821/1070181-explosive/ |work=RTÉ News |accessdate=26 June 2020 |date=21 August 2019 |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227214218/https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2019/0821/1070181-explosive/ |url-status=live }} In May 2020, he described the Kinahan organisation as having a "hierarchical structure" containing "cells and sub-cells" to engage in "execution-type murders" related to international "organised drugs and firearm trafficking".{{cite news |title=Judge finds Kinahan gang trafficks drugs and weapons on 'international scale' as he jails 'foot-soldier' Mark Capper |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/judge-finds-kinahan-gang-trafficks-drugs-and-weapons-on-international-scale-as-he-jails-foot-soldier-mark-capper-1002193.html |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=www.irishexaminer.com |date=28 May 2020 |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627164236/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/judge-finds-kinahan-gang-trafficks-drugs-and-weapons-on-international-scale-as-he-jails-foot-soldier-mark-capper-1002193.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Paul |title=Special report: Inside the Kinahan gang |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2020/0529/1143486-inside-kinahan-gang/ |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=RTÉ News |date=31 May 2020 |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627045203/https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2020/0529/1143486-inside-kinahan-gang/ |url-status=live }} This was the first time a judge had outlined the organisation in such a way in court.{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Conor |title=Judge's comments a blow to Kinahan attempts to whitewash his reputation |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/judge-s-comments-a-blow-to-kinahan-attempts-to-whitewash-his-reputation-1.4265125 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809055713/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/judge-s-comments-a-blow-to-kinahan-attempts-to-whitewash-his-reputation-1.4265125 |url-status=live }}