Former Court of Criminal Appeal judge Declan Budd left an estate valued at €3.58 million when he died in August 2025, according to Probate Office papers lodged this week. The publication of the grant of probate also details estates left by a former Kildare mayor, a prominent racehorse breeder and a senior corporate lawyer.
Declan Budd estate valued at €3.58 million
Declan Budd, who lived in Blackrock, Co Dublin, had a long career in Ireland’s legal system. He came from a distinguished legal family; his father, Frederic Gardner Orford Budd, served as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Budd studied at Trinity College Dublin as a foundation scholar before being called to the Bar in 1968. He became senior counsel in 1981 and joined the High Court in 1991.
He was appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2008 and retired from the bench in 2011. His public service also included a term as president of the Law Reform Commission between 2000 and 2005.
Legal and civic contributions
During his time at the Law Reform Commission, Budd was associated with efforts to modernise Irish statute law. He also supported greater openness in family law proceedings, arguing that allowing some cases to be heard publicly could improve confidence in the justice system.
His judicial work included decisions connected with the Blasket Islands in Co Kerry. Those rulings helped prevent the islands from being privatised and supported their protection as part of Ireland’s national heritage.
Outside the courtroom, Budd was involved in community and sporting life. He was a former club captain and dedicated member of Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club, and volunteered with the Dún Laoghaire association of An Taisce.
Key facts
- Estate value: €3.58 million
- Date of death: August 2025
- Residence: Blackrock, Co Dublin
- Former roles: High Court judge, Court of Criminal Appeal judge and president of the Law Reform Commission
Other estates recorded in Probate Office papers
The same set of probate records included details of several other notable estates. The figures represent the value of assets disclosed through the probate process and can include property, land, investments and other holdings.
Former Kildare mayor Rainsford Hendy
Rainsford Hendy, a former mayor of Kildare and long-serving Fine Gael representative, left an estate valued at €2.1 million. He entered local government in 1991 and represented the Athy electoral area for almost two decades before retiring from politics in 2009.
Hendy also operated a garden-shed business and supported the Irish Cancer Society through fundraising. He was a member of the Church of Ireland’s Diocesan Synod.
He died in September 2024 at the age of 73. Among those who paid tribute was former taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who said they had first met as councillors and remained in contact over the years.
Racehorse breeder Duncan McGregor
Duncan McGregor, of Newtown Lodge Stud in Kildare, left an estate worth €1.49 million after his death at the age of 84 in February. Originally from Falkirk in Scotland, he moved to Kildare with his wife, Lynn, when he was in his forties.
McGregor built a career in thoroughbred breeding and racing. His bloodlines included horses linked to notable winners such as Soldier Of Fortune, Sholokhov, Subjectivist and Intense Focus.
He also bred and raced winners including Dashing Colours, which won the Listed Knockaire Stakes, and Shesasmartlady, the dam of Captain Marvelous. Another major success came through Danega, purchased for €16,000 in 2022. Her offspring, Marhaba Ya Sanafi, later won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp.
Enable Ireland chairman Stephen Haughey
Stephen Haughey, a corporate lawyer and former senior KPMG figure, left an estate valued at €2.04 million after his death in April 2026. He was associated with Skibbereen and had also lived in Belfast and Wicklow.
Haughey served as national chairman of Enable Ireland, a major organisation supporting people with disabilities. During his time in the role, the organisation campaigned on diagnostic waiting lists and the need for stronger support for families.
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What probate values mean
A probate estate value is not necessarily a measure of cash held in a bank account. It may include a person’s home, other property, farmland, shares, business interests and personal assets.
The documents provide a formal record of the value declared for the administration of an estate. They do not, by themselves, show how assets were distributed among beneficiaries or establish the amount of inheritance tax ultimately paid.
Why the records matter
Probate notices offer a public snapshot of the lives and careers of people who made contributions in law, politics, sport, business and community work. In Budd’s case, the filing brings renewed attention to a legal career spanning the High Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal and the Law Reform Commission.
The records also show the range of public roles represented in Ireland’s civic life, from local government and disability advocacy to thoroughbred breeding and heritage protection.
Frequently asked questions
What was Declan Budd’s estate worth?
Probate Office papers put the value of Declan Budd’s estate at €3.58 million.
When did Declan Budd die?
He died in August 2025.
What positions did he hold?
He served as a High Court judge, a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeal and president of the Law Reform Commission.
What other estates were listed?
The papers included estates belonging to former Kildare mayor Rainsford Hendy, racehorse breeder Duncan McGregor and Enable Ireland chairman Stephen Haughey.
Conclusion
This Breaking News report highlights the €3.58 million estate left by former Court of Criminal Appeal judge Declan Budd, while also documenting the estates and public contributions of three other prominent figures. The probate records provide financial details, but they also preserve a wider account of service in Ireland’s legal, political, sporting and community life.
