Alasdair Fraser (barrister)

Sir Alasdair MacLeod Fraser, CB, QC (29 September 1946 – 16 June 2012) was a Scottish-born Northern Irish lawyer. He served as Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland from 1989 to 2010.

Sir Alasdair Fraser

CB QC
Born
Alasdair MacLeod Fraser

29 September 1946 (1946-09-29)
Glasgow, Scotland
Died16 June 2012 (2012-06-17) (aged 65)
NationalityBritish
Alma materTrinity College, Dublin
Queen's University Belfast
OccupationBarrister
TitleDirector of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland
Term1989 to 2010
PredecessorSir Barry Shaw
SuccessorBarra McGrory
Spouse(s)Margaret
Children3

Early life

Fraser was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 29 September 1946.[1] He and his family moved to Northern Ireland in 1950.[2] He studied law at Trinity College, Dublin and undertook postgraduate studies at Queen's University Belfast.[3]

Fraser was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1970 beginning his career as a barrister.[2] He practised law at a Belfast legal practice for three years.[1]

In 1973, he joined the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions.[4] The following year, in 1974, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions.[2] In 1988, he was promoted to Deputy Director.[1] In April 1989, he was appointed by Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, as Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.[3] He served under six Attorney-Generals before retiring in September 2010.[2][4]

Later life

On 16 June 2012, Fraser died of cancer; he was aged 65.[2] He had taken early retirement after his initial diagnosis.[1] His funeral took place at St Mark's Church of Ireland in Dundela, Belfast on 20 June 2012.[3]

Personal life

Fraser was married to Margaret. Together they had three children; a daughter, Katy, and two sons, Andrew and Jamie.[1][3] A rugby fan, he served as Chairman of the Church of Ireland's Young Men's Society rugby club based in Belfast.[2]

Honours

In the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours, Fraser was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for his service as Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.[5] In the 2001 New Year Honours, he was made a Knight Bachelor 'for services to the Criminal Justice System'.[6] He was knighted by Charles, Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace on 2 March 2001.[7] In 2006, he was awarded the Special Achievement Award by the International Association of Prosecutors for his role in prosecuting crimes in Northern Ireland during 30 years of The Troubles.[1]

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References
  1. "Sir Alasdair Fraser". The Times. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  2. "Sir Alasdair Fraser". The Herald. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  3. Archer, Bimpe (19 June 2012). "Former director of public prosecutions dies at 65". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  4. "Director of PPS Sir Alasdair Fraser to retire in autumn". BBC News. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  5. "No. 52952". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 1992. p. 3.
  6. "No. 56070". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 30 December 2000. p. yes.
  7. "No. 56313". The London Gazette. 24 August 2001. p. 1.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Sir Barry Shaw		 Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland
1989 to 2010		 Succeeded by
Barra McGrory
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