Library Forum

What is a Justice of the Peace?
Is it an honorary position?
Is one appointed or elected?
Is there a term of office?
What are the duties & responsibilities?

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

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

Thank you!

S1nead,

"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."

- this is from http://www.courts.ie/Courts.ie/Library3 ... E5004011F8

and take a look also at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of ... ce#Ireland
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_peace

Thank you for looking this information up for me!
I should have checked that out before posting ....
Great explanations!
Susan