Richard Pennefather (1773–1859) was an Irish lawyer and judge of the nineteenth century, who enjoyed a reputation for legal ability and integrity. He has been highly praised, in particular, for his scrupulously impartial conduct of the politically sensitive Doneraile Conspiracy Trials of 1829. He was the elder brother of Edward Pennefather, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.
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Family
He was the eldest son of William Pennefather of Knockeevan, of Darling Hill, County Tipperary, who was a member of the Irish House of Commons for Cashel, and his wife, Ellen Moore, daughter of Edward Moore, Archdeacon of Emly, and his wife Ellen Dobson. They were a junior branch of the long-established Pennefather family of Newpark, County Tipperary. The family emigrated to Ireland in about 1665. One of his brothers was Edward Pennefather, who was also a distinguished barrister and judge, and ended his career as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Another of his brothers, the Rev. John Pennefather, was the father of the distinguished soldier, General Sir John Pennefather.