Peter Smithwick (15 February 1937 – 8 March 2022) was an Irish judge who served as chairman and the sole member of the Smithwick Tribunal, a Tribunal of Inquiry into the events surrounding the killing of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Robert Buchanan of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).[1]
Smithwick was born on 15 February 1937.[2] Prior to his appointment as Chairman of the Smithwick Tribunal in 2005, he was President of the District Court for 17 years.[citation needed]
Smithwick was a director and the ninth generation of his family to be associated with Smithwick's, the famous beer brewed by his family firm. He appears to have been extremely well-liked and respected.[3][4] He was a Freeman of the city of Kilkenny.[5]
He grew up in Kilcreene Lodge, and was educated at Castleknock College and University College Dublin. His family was prominent as part of the landed gentry of County Kilkenny, Leinster, Ireland.[6]
Smithwick died on 8 March 2022, at the age of 85.[7]