Professor Conor Gearty RIP

Dr Conor Gearty. Image FB

Tributes have been pouring for Professor Conor Gearty, who died suddenly, on Thursday, 11 September. He was 67.

Born in Co Longford, Dr Gearty was a leading human rights academic, barrister and author. He was professor of human rights law in the faculty of law at the London School of Economics (LSE).

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: "So sad to hear this news. Conor Gearty was not only a brilliant lawyer, teacher and academic, but also someone who inspired and encouraged thousands of students and lawyers along the way. He made an indelible mark on the world of law and human rights, but it was his kindness, generosity, and humour that touched so many of us.
He will be deeply missed, and my thoughts are with his family."

Irish President Michael D Higgins said in a statement: "Conor Gearty was an inspirational human rights figure for young scholars and activists in the field. He had earned the deep respect of so many of his fellow theorists.

"Through his work as a researcher and teacher as professor of human rights law at the London School of Economics, and as a practitioner through Matrix Chambers, he was a leading figure in the advocacy of civil liberties and human rights.

"In his engagement with the public through the LSE's Institute of Public Affairs, journals, newspapers and online, he further worked to extend knowledge of these important matters to the public at large and to provide people with the information necessary to advocate for their rights and to understand issues of public policy. He was a very good friend, a fine scholar and a principled activist. He will be deeply missed."

LSE President and Vice Chancellor Professor Larry Kramer said: "There are no words to express what it means to lose someone like Conor Gearty. He was a brilliant scholar and incredibly dedicated teacher, but so much more than that. LSE is a community, and communities are shaped by the people who make them. Everyone contributes, but some people make a bigger imprint, just by virtue of the kind of person they are. Conor was a huge presence-passionate, kind, thoughtful, someone who could light up a room, make you laugh, make you think, and then make you laugh and think some more. He will be terribly missed, though he remains with us in the countless people he touched and whose lives he changed."

Conor Gearty was a parishioner at Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town, north London.

Canon Pat Browne, who served as parish priest there in the 1990s said: "Conor has been a totally committed member of the Kentish Town Catholic community in London for many years, where he was much admired, loved and respected. May he rest in peace."

'Fellow parishioner Margaret Harvey told ICN: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Conor Gearty. He was a neighbour of mine when he first moved to Kentish Town, so I have known him for a number of years.

"I admired him deeply for his intellect, his integrity, his writings and his concern for all aspects of human rights and human rights law. He was a very gifted and rounded person and will be sorely missed by so many.

"Above all, he was a warm and very engaging person and always a pleasure to talk to. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."

Dr Gearty is survived by his wife, Professor Aoife Nolan, and children, Eliza, Owen, Éile and Fiadh.

We will be publishing a full obituary soon.