John Joseph Collins
Encyclopedia
John Collins is an Irish barrister called to the Bar in 1967. He was called to the English Bar in the Middle Temple
in 1972. He was called to the Bar of New South Wales, Sydney in 1989. he has participated in prominent criminal court cases, primarily in England. He founded Westgate Chambers in Lewes, Sussex in 1987. From there approximately 50 Barristers serve all of South East England.
Whilst studying law at the King's Inns, Dublin, he was elected Auditor of the Law Students Debating Society. His Inaugural coincided with the 50th. Anniversary of the Easter Rising and was attended by a very distinguished audience. He delivered his Inaugural address "Retrospect 66" in front of the then President, Éamon de Valera
, who was involved in that Rising. Also present was the British Ambassador, Sir Geoffrey Tory, Cardinal Conway, The Irish Chief Justice,(who later became President) Cearbhaill O Dalaigh, Sean Lemass, the Taoiseach and an array of Judges, Politicians and Lawyers.
Before settling down to practising law he founded Squash Ireland. This was the first commercial Squash venture in Ireland. Before he sold it to a consortia headed by Paddy McGrath, he had built 5 Courts in Rathgar, 6 in Dalkey and 8 in Clontarf. When he sold in 1975, he brought his wife and children to live in Pinner
, Middlesex. This coincided with the deteriorating security situation in Ireland.
He was married twice, to his first wife for 28 years and then to his second wife for 4 years. He has 5 children, Patrick (PJ), Aisling, Paul, Glenn and Maria.
In England he participated in many leading criminal trials. The most famous was the £25 million gold Brink's-MAT robbery
from Heathrow Airport in 1983. He represented the first named handler of the proceeds, Brian Perry.(Times) He was one of the counsel in the Case that set down the guidelines for sentencing in Rape Cases . (Criminal appeal Reports)
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
in 1972. He was called to the Bar of New South Wales, Sydney in 1989. he has participated in prominent criminal court cases, primarily in England. He founded Westgate Chambers in Lewes, Sussex in 1987. From there approximately 50 Barristers serve all of South East England.
Personal Life
He grew up in Killiney, Co. Dublin. He attended Presentation College, Glasthule, Cistercian College, Roscrea and Redemptorist College, Limerick.Whilst studying law at the King's Inns, Dublin, he was elected Auditor of the Law Students Debating Society. His Inaugural coincided with the 50th. Anniversary of the Easter Rising and was attended by a very distinguished audience. He delivered his Inaugural address "Retrospect 66" in front of the then President, 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...
, who was involved in that Rising. Also present was the British Ambassador, Sir Geoffrey Tory, Cardinal Conway, The Irish Chief Justice,(who later became President) Cearbhaill O Dalaigh, Sean Lemass, the Taoiseach and an array of Judges, Politicians and Lawyers.
Before settling down to practising law he founded Squash Ireland. This was the first commercial Squash venture in Ireland. Before he sold it to a consortia headed by Paddy McGrath, he had built 5 Courts in Rathgar, 6 in Dalkey and 8 in Clontarf. When he sold in 1975, he brought his wife and children to live in Pinner
Pinner
- Climate :Pinner's geographical position on the far western side of North West London makes it the furthest London suburb from any UK coastline. Hence the lower prevalence of moderating maritime influences make Pinner noticeably warmer in the spring and the summer compared to the rest of the capital...
, Middlesex. This coincided with the deteriorating security situation in Ireland.
He was married twice, to his first wife for 28 years and then to his second wife for 4 years. He has 5 children, Patrick (PJ), Aisling, Paul, Glenn and Maria.
Famous Cases
In Ireland he was leading counsel in the much disputed attempt to rezone the Harold's Cross Greyhound track in 1971. In 1972 he argued, unsuccessfully, for the registration of the word "poteen".In England he participated in many leading criminal trials. The most famous was the £25 million gold Brink's-MAT robbery
Brink's-MAT robbery
The Brink's-MAT robbery occurred on 26 November 1983 when six robbers broke into the Brink's-MAT warehouse at Heathrow Airport, London. The robbers thought they were going to steal £3 million in cash; however, when they arrived, they found three tonnes of gold bullion...
from Heathrow Airport in 1983. He represented the first named handler of the proceeds, Brian Perry.(Times) He was one of the counsel in the Case that set down the guidelines for sentencing in Rape Cases . (Criminal appeal Reports)