Probation officer with a practical approach

Sean Lowry, who has died aged 75, was a former head of the Probation Service.

He was a gentle, soft-spoken family man. Known for his acute sense of social justice, he was dedicated to practical action on problems, whether individual or social, rather than just complaining about them.

Throughout his working life, he devoted himself to helping people bring about positive changes in their lives, and in the context of those on probation, to “rethink their criminality”.

Born in Belfast, Lowry's involvement in social work began when he was a priest in the diocese of Down and Conor in the 1960s, when his experience led to him being asked to do a social work course at Queen's in Belfast.

During the Troubles he assisted displaced families to access housing and other services, and his work led to him receiving formal recognition from the British government.

By May 1973 he had left the priesthood and joined the Probation and Welfare Service in Dublin. There were 39 probation officers then, a time that marked the beginning of significant organisational development and growth.

He rose quickly through the ranks and became principal probation and welfare officer in July 2002. His signature approach to projects was collaborative and consultative, always including and engaging with those concerned in decisions.

At each stage in his career, he enjoyed being at the cutting edge of developing front-line services, whether working in Belfast with up to 30 voluntary social service centres to develop effective responses to civil conflict or in Dublin developing the probation role in special schools, establishing the Bridge (intensive probation) project and shaping service development nationally.

Co-operation

He was particularly supportive of North-South co-operation in probation, including in the establishment of the North-South

Irish Probation Journal

, which had its 12th edition published last year.

After retirement in 2005, he was invited to contribute to a number of projects on behalf of the Department of Justice.

His wife, Teresa, predeceased him in 2005. He is survived by his partner, Catherine, son Tim, daughter Gráinne, and four granddaughters.