Hardy character has gravity to become a magistrate (4)

I believe the answer is:

jude

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'hardy character' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

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(Other definitions for jude that I've seen before include "Patron saint of hopeless cases" , "20 hero" , "Obscure Hardy character?" , "Hardy hero" , "Lost-causes saint" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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