NAURU REMEMBERS FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE BARRY CONNELL

Former Chief Justice of Nauru Henry Barwick (Barry) Connell passed away recently (21 May) at the age of 85 in Melbourne Australia, after a long illness. 

His Excellency President Baron Waqa said the government and the country are saddened to hear of his passing. “It is with much sadness that we lament the passing of the late Barry Connell who was a highly valued and good friend of the whole country.

“As a former Chief Justice he distinguished himself as one of the fnest we have known, acting with consideration and integrity. He identified himself with us consistently through both good times and bad.

“On behalf of all Nauruans we extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this time of loss,” Nauru President Baron Waqa said. Mr Connell had a distinguished career working for the Government of Nauru which began in 1971.

He was appointed Chief Secretary and Secretary for External Affairs in late 1971 as well as Secretary to Cabinet. Mr Connell was further appointed as Counsel assisting the Commission of Inquiry established by former president, the late Hammer De Roburt, to look into the rehabilitation of the mined out phosphate lands of Nauru. 

He further represented Nauru in The Hague at the International Court of Justice in 1991 in the case concerning Nauru’s phosphate land. The  legal  team which  represented Nauru  in  its  case  seeking  compensation  for  the  rehabilitation was  led  by  Professor  Sir  Ian Brownlie Q.C. The case was settled in favour of Nauru with signifcant compensation being paid.

Those who were fortunate to have met and worked with Mr Connell describe him as a gentleman whose dedication to Nauru was immense. Mr Connell was working from Melbourne Australia as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Nauru Air Corporation, director of the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation and a trustee of the Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust.

Mr Connell was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nauru in February 2001 and retired in 2006. Mr Connell is survived by his wife, Marlene, daughter Jacqueline, grandchildren Samantha, Thomas, Warwick and Georgina and stepchildren.

The Nauru Bulletin thanks Helen Bogdan for supplying the photo and much of the background about Mr Connell

Copy pasted from Nauru Bulletin – Page 6