Justice of the Peace: Duties, Criteria, etc 1870

[s1nead]

In 1870, was Justice of the Peace an honorary position?
Was one appointed or elected?
Was there a term of office?

Does anyone know if records were kept concerning the career of a JP?

My great great grandfather, Patrick Edward Reilly, was Justice of the Peace (in Ennistymon) in 1870.

Any ideas how to get more information about him or his position?

Thank you!

[KGarrad]

Justices of the Peace were appointed, usually by the Lord Chancellor.
He was required to be able to read and write, He also had to meet minimum property qualifications. Up to 1745 a JP had to possess an estate worth at least twenty pounds per year and thereafter the qualification rose to one hundred pounds per year.

Records of the appointment of JPs are usually held with records of the court of quarter sessions in county record offices.

[aghadowey]

The system in Ireland was different to that of England and Wales.

"Justices of the peace existed in Ireland prior to 1922, sitting in a bench under the supervision of resident magistrates at petty sessions to try minor offences summarily, and with a county court judge (in his capacity of chairman of quarter sessions) and jury to try more serious offences at quarter sessions."

[KGarrad]

I found this on the internet:
http://www.courts.ie/Courts.ie/Library3.nsf/pagecurrent/8B9125171CFBA78080256DE5004011F8

Quoting from there:
The modern Irish legal system is derived from the English common law tradition.

The court of assize was the antecedent to the High Court. It dealt with the most important civil and criminal matters. The most serious criminal offences, such as murder and treason were reserved to the court of assize. It sat on circuit twice a year. Justices of the Peace dealt with less serious criminal matters. They could exercise their primary criminal jurisdiction, either summarily at petty sessions, or on indictment, where the justices presided with a jury at quarter sessions. They also conducted preliminary hearings for the assizes at petty sessions. If the Justice of the Peace found that there was prima facie evidence to send the accused forward for trial, a 'bill of indictment' was referred to a Grand Jury to decide if the bill was correct in form and was supported by the prima facie evidence. If the Grand Jury so found, the bill of indictment became an indictment and the accused was tried by Petty Jury at the assizes.

[s1nead]

Thank you for your replies!

"Records of the appointment of JPs are usually held with records of the court of quarter sessions in county record offices"

"court of quarter sessions in county record offices"

What is the "Court of Quarter Sessions"?

Where is the County Record Office for Ennistymon? In Ennis?

[KGarrad]

Maybe County Clare Library?
Or the Natuonal Library?
Or The National Archives of Ireland - or even the Public Records Office?

[s1nead]

Thanks for the suggestion!
I'll ask the Clare Library right now!

[hall and walsh]

Hi,
Did you find out any more about JPs in Clare?
I am looking for  photograph of Joseph Hall, a Clare JP in the 1870s. I hadnt heard about the the court of quarter sessions in county record offices, so if you had any luck I will try them too!
Cathy

[rathmore]

find a grave

http://www.findagrave.com
then click on Search 121 million grave records
then type in the Memorial box - 135906605

Elizabeth Fleury Reilly was born 1798 and married to Patrick Edward Reilly in 1829, leased 72 acres land and moher lodge in Kineilty from Captain Francis McNamara, then had 5 children there.  In 1863 Patrick became land agent for the Macnamara family at Ennisytmon house, in 1868 Patrick became magistrate then moved to woodpark house.