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John Maguire

Obituary of John Maguire QC, KGCHS, Sheriff-Principal; born 30 November, 1934, in Kirkintilloch; died 28 April, 2007, in Perth, aged 72.

Sheriff-Principal John Maguire sat with distinction on the shrieval bench in Scotland for just over 30 years. He believed deeply in contributing broadly to society and did notable voluntary work for disabled children. He was chairman of the Northern Lighthouse Board and led the Scottish section of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in its mission to aid Christians in the Holy Land.

He was sheriff at Airdrie 1968-73, sheriff at Glasgow 1973-90 and sheriff-principal of Tayside Central & Fife 1990-98.

Maguire studied for the priesthood in Rome but decided against ordination and returned to Scotland to study law at Edinburgh University. He credited his time in Rome with teaching him how to think.

His Catholic faith, although lightly worn, was deeply important to him. He became the lieutenant of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in Scotland, and his leadership is credited with reviving the order, which funds churches and schools in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

Full story at The Scotsman.