John Hearne (lawyer)
Encyclopedia
John J. Hearne was an Irish legal scholar and diplomat whose role in the drafting of the 1937 Constitution of Ireland
was so important that he was referred to as "Ireland's Thomas Jefferson."
and studied law at the National University of Ireland
.
In 1937, during the government of Éamon de Valera
, he was working as a legal expert in the Department of External Affairs when De Valera called on him to assist in the writing of the new constitution, which would replace the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State
. With Maurice Gerard Moynihan
, Hearne drew up the first draft of the constitution; according to Moynihan, Hearne had been instrumental in convincing De Valera that a new constitution was necessary in the first place. The exact role of Hearne is not evident from the remaining documents: It is not clear who actually wrote the first draft, and according to Irish historian John Joseph Lee, "Much remains to be uncovered about the planning and drafting of the constitution, including not least the roles of John Hearne, the legal adviser to External Affairs, and of Maurice Moynihan."
After his legal career, Hearne filled a number of diplomatic positions. In 1939, he was appointed High Commissioner
to Ottawa
. In March 1950 he became the first Irish ambassador
to the United States
, and was welcomed in Boston on May 13, 1950. In 1954, he gave the commencement address at Boston College
, and on that occasion was awarded with an honorary degree. In 1960, after retiring from diplomatic service, he became a legislative consultant to Nigeria
and Ghana
, which had recently acquired independence.
He died in Dublin in 1969. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Irish constitution, Hearne's birthplace (on 8 William Street in Waterford) was marked with a tribute.
Constitution of Ireland
The Constitution of Ireland is the fundamental law of the Irish state. The constitution falls broadly within the liberal democratic tradition. It establishes an independent state based on a system of representative democracy and guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected...
was so important that he was referred to as "Ireland's Thomas Jefferson."
Biography
Hearne attended Waterpark CollegeWaterpark College
Waterpark College is a secondary school in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The school was established in 1892 on the banks of the River Suir as Waterford's first Classical school, and still provides a secondary education to boys from Waterford City, County and the surrounding area. Its principal,...
and studied law at the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
.
In 1937, during the government of Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, he was working as a legal expert in the Department of External Affairs when De Valera called on him to assist in the writing of the new constitution, which would replace the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State
Constitution of the Irish Free State
The Constitution of the Irish Free State was the first constitution of the independent Irish state. It was enacted with the adoption of the Constitution of the Irish Free State Act 1922, of which it formed a part...
. With Maurice Gerard Moynihan
Maurice Gerard Moynihan
Maurice Gerard Moynihan was a senior Irish civil servant, co-drafter of the 1937 Constitution of Ireland, Secretary of the Government of the Irish Free State in 1937, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland in 1960, and Knight Commander of the Papal Order of St...
, Hearne drew up the first draft of the constitution; according to Moynihan, Hearne had been instrumental in convincing De Valera that a new constitution was necessary in the first place. The exact role of Hearne is not evident from the remaining documents: It is not clear who actually wrote the first draft, and according to Irish historian John Joseph Lee, "Much remains to be uncovered about the planning and drafting of the constitution, including not least the roles of John Hearne, the legal adviser to External Affairs, and of Maurice Moynihan."
After his legal career, Hearne filled a number of diplomatic positions. In 1939, he was appointed High Commissioner
High Commissioner (Commonwealth)
In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. In March 1950 he became the first Irish ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and was welcomed in Boston on May 13, 1950. In 1954, he gave the commencement address at Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
, and on that occasion was awarded with an honorary degree. In 1960, after retiring from diplomatic service, he became a legislative consultant to Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, which had recently acquired independence.
He died in Dublin in 1969. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Irish constitution, Hearne's birthplace (on 8 William Street in Waterford) was marked with a tribute.