Cahir O'Higgins

Cahir O'Higgins (born 1975) is an Irish solicitor and criminal law and human rights advocate. He is known for his work and advocacy in high-profile criminal defence cases. He is also known as a charity worker and minority rights activist

He was born in Dublin, Ireland, named after his grand-uncle Cahir Davitt, son of Socialist Land league founder, workers rights activist and Fenian leader Michael Davitt.

He was educated in St Brigid's vocational school, Loughrea, National University of Ireland, Galway and the Law Society of Ireland. O'Higgins comes from an Irish political family, but his own political beliefs are unknown. His paternal grandfather was Thomas F. O'Higgins, a former cabinet minister. His granduncle was Kevin O'Higgins. O'Higgins's uncle was Tom O'Higgins, a former chief justice and presidential candidate in 1966 and 1973. His maternal grandmother married Patrick Hogan, who later became the first minister for agriculture after the death of her first husband Michael Davitt. His cousins sit as Judges of both the Supreme court and High court of Ireland.

His mother Brigid Hogan-O'Higgins was a former member of parliament, as was his father, Michael O'Higgins. His parents were the first married couple ever to be elected to the same Dáil.

His involvement in Human Rights law originated in student politics where he served as anti-discrimination officer on the National University of Ireland Galway, Students Union.

O'Higgins is a keen sportsman having represented Ireland in two different sports (Karate and Triathlon.) He obtained the grade of 2nd dan black belt in Shotokan karate and represented Ireland in the European championships in Triathlon in 35 - 40 Age Group. He has run a time of 16.43' for 5Km as an over 40 runner.

O'Higgins career began as a journalist while in National University of Ireland Galway, editing the University paper. He went on to write for Time Magazine, (New York Stock Exchange edition) ultimately becoming an online editor with a national newspaper. At 24 years of age he set up an internet company with two college friends to pay his way through law school. The sites Antonom.ie and Studentireland.com were later sold on to an international media organisation. A year after selling the company he returned to full-time education and pursued his career in law.

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