Sir Richard Kennedy, 2nd Baronet, of Newtownmountkennedy (c.1615–1685) was an Irish politician, landowner and judge who held the office of second Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland).
Sir Robert came from a family of prosperous Dublin merchants; his brother was the wealthy and influential Alderman Walter Kennedy of Finnstown House, Lucan.
However James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, now Lord Lieutenant, was prepared to recommend Irish-born judges who were Protestants and had a record of loyalty to the Crown, and Kennedy passed both tests.
Elrington Ball, rather cynically, notes that the Kennedys were rich, and that financial inducements may also have paid a part in Richard's elevation, since Charles II was perennially in need of funds.
[4] His letter stresses Kennedy's merits, his dutiful and loyal affection to the Crown, and the great labour, cost and pains he was put to in ordering the Exchequer efficiently.
[4] John Bysse, the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, though popular and generally respected, was already showing signs of physical and possibly mental unfitness for office.
[5] As a judge, Kennedy was frequently sent on assize to Ulster, where he showed a good deal of severity to religious dissenters, especially Quakers.