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Sir Charles Barry Shaw, CB, KC (12 April 1923 – 30 September 2010) was a Northern Irish barrister. From 1972 to 1989, he served as the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland; he was the first holder of this post.
Barry Shaw | |
---|---|
Born | Charles Barry Shaw 12 April 1923 |
Died | 30 September 2010 87) | (aged
Nationality | Northern Irish |
Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast |
Occupation(s) | Barrister, prosecutor |
Title | Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland |
Term | 1972 to 1989 |
Successor | Alasdair Fraser |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Years of service | 1942–1946 |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Shaw was born on 12 April 1923 in Balmoral, Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1] He was educated at Inchmarlo House in Belfast and at Pannal Ash College in Harrogate, England.[2] After leaving school, he matriculated into Queen's University Belfast to study science.[1] He left university in 1942 to serve in the military.[1][3][4] He returned to university in 1946, and switched to law.[1] He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.[2]
Shaw took a break from his university studies to serve in the British Army during Second World War.[1][3] On 5 December 1942, he was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a second lieutenant.[4] He then served in the 97 Anti-Tank Regiment attached to the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division.[2] He saw active serve in the Normandy Landings and in the North West Europe Campaign.[1][5] He was demobilised in 1946.[1][2]
In 1948, Shaw was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland, thereby becoming a barrister.[1] From 1948 to 1952, he worked in private practice.[1] He was appointed Junior Crown Counsel (a prosecutor) for County Fermanagh, and then for County Tyrone and County Antrim.[1] In 1964, he was appointed Senior Crown Counsel for County Londonderry, and later for County Antrim and Belfast.[1] On 10 April 1972, he was appointed to the newly created position of Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.[1][2][6] As such, he was head of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland "throughout the worst years of the Troubles".[3] He retired from the post in 1989, and was succeeded by Alasdair Fraser.[1][7]
In December 1964, Shaw was called to the Inner Bar of Northern Ireland, thereby becoming a Queen's Counsel (QC).[8] He was elected a Bencher in 1968.[2] He was also called to Bar at Middle Temple in 1970 which allowed him to practice as a barrister in England and Wales.[2]
In 1950, Shaw married Jean Boyd; they later divorced.[2] In 1964, he married Jane (née Phillips); she predeceased her husband, dying in January 2010.[1][2]
Shaw died on 30 September 2010, aged 87.[1] A memorial service was held at Holy Trinity Church, Glencraig in Holywood, County Down.[5]
In the 1974 Queen's Birthday Honours, Shaw was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in recognition of his service as Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland (DPP).[9] In the 1980 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor, and thereby granted the title sir, in recognition of his service as DPP.[10] On 4 March 1980, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.[11] He was made an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple in 1986.[2]
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