Warm tributes paid to veteran Offaly solicitor on his final day in court

WARM tributes were paid by colleagues to retiring solicitor Donal Farrelly on his final day in court last week.

One of Offaly's leading lawyers, Donal had been a practising solicitor in the county for 43 years.

Leading the tributes during Wednesday morning's sitting of Tullamore District Court, Judge Andrew Cody said the day was a day of mixed feelings “as we bid farewell and wish a happy retirement to a pillar of the District Court, Donal Farrelly. I am delighted for you Donal, but it is a sad day for those who appear, work and practise in the District Court. It simply won't be the same without you here. The front seat on the left-hand side will have to be left vacant, at least for a few weeks.”

Judge Cody said Donal Farrelly had served the people of Tullamore and Offaly as a solicitor for over four decades, “but for those who knew Donal in his youth, the biggest surprise might be that he didn't join An Garda Síochána as his father PJ had a distinguished career in the Gardaí, retiring as Superintendent in Tullamore, and three of Donal's siblings followed their father into the Gardaí, Padraig, Aidan and Maura. However, Donal took a slightly different path into the legal world and studied law before qualifying as a Solicitor in 1981 after completing his apprenticeship in Hoey and Denning, and after a few years set up his own firm in 1987.”

Since qualifying he appeared in Tullamore District Court before countless movable Judges and before six assigned Judges, Judges Tormey, Connellan, O'Donnell, Neilan, Staines and Cody.

“He retires today as the most senior, most experienced and most respected Solicitor practising in the District Court in the Midlands.

“I sat down last Sunday and wrote down the words that came to mind when I think about Donal. They were consistent, diligent, professional, and popular. While these are all great qualities, the most outstanding quality is his good humour and gentle nature.

“As I have said, Donal is always consistent and well prepared for his cases. He seemed to have an endless supply of brown envelopes from which he pulled summonses, charge sheets, testimonials, or the odd receipt from a charity!

“His approach to a case was always to get the best result for the client. If someone was caught red-handed, then a plea was offered straight away or if a case was to be fought you always knew that there was a point worth considering. Occasionally you got the code 'those are my instructions' meaning 'he or she won't listen to me!' He had one other little give away, and that was when the presenting Sergeant had given the facts, if Donal was on his feet straight away with a plea, you knew Donal was trying to avoid the previous convictions!”

The Judge said Donal in his retirement won't miss the emails, the phone calls, the deadlines, the clients that won't give instructions to the solicitor, the clients that won't accept the solicitor's advice, the clients that won't turn up in court, “or, maybe worst of all those, you wish they hadn't turned up because they are drunk. The only deadline you will face from now on is making the first tee on time!

“You have been an amazing example to us all, and we wish you all the best on this the next chapter in your life. We wish you, your wife Anne, children Jade, Elizabeth, Megan, Kitty and Paddy, many, many happy years and the best of health on your retirement.

“Finally, the headline from the Offaly Express last week read 'Veteran Solicitor in Offaly announces his retirement'. The word veteran comes from the Latin verb for old, but that doesn't apply to Donal. If it is to be used however, I prefer the US Army definition of Veteran, that is a person who receives an 'honourable discharge after distinguished service'.”

Offering a tribute on behalf of the District Court solicitors Patrick Martin began humorously by asking Donal if he was pleading guilty or not guilty to being “a top man?! Remember you have the right to remain silent. My advice is to come clean and fall on your sword! The sanctions are likely to be days full of family, golf, and catching up with people. Your days will no longer be filled with your early bird exercise, dealing with what is an almighty schedule, hoping to get out for a round of golf. Your dedication to your work was second to none. Now you will have time to work on improving your handicap!”

Patrick said Donal was a true gentleman.

“When I started practising 20 years ago you were very welcoming to me, and have remained so since then. Words which would describe your character include collegiate, stalwart, patient and respectful. To all those that sought your counsel you gave them compassion, consideration and good advice. Sometimes you would advise them to express their remorse, or perhaps, when defending them in court, you would talk about their youthful boisterousness in a way which would enable fair decisions to be reached.

“You were compassionate to those on the margins of society. You highlighted their good qualities. You focussed on what they had, not on what they didn't have. You are a man with sincerity, compassion and consideration. You used those gifts to convince, persuade and prove the merits of each and every defendant standing before the many Judges over the years. You carried the pressures and stress of your career with ease and grace.” Patrick wished Donal and his wife Anne happiness “ad multos annos”. “You have both raised a wonderful family. Jade, Eliza and Kitty followed in your footsteps into the law, and they all share your enthusiasm and passion for law.

“During these times, country practices struggle to compete with the bright lights. It is sad to see such an excellent practice as yours, which was such a bright light in itself, come to an end. It is no doubt the end of an era. You will be missed by Maria and all your staff.

“Best wishes my friend. Now go get a life!”

Tributes to Mr Farrelly were also paid by Court Officer Robert Hogan, who spoke on behalf of Tullamore Courthouse; and Superintendent John Lawless on behalf of the Gardaí.

Mr Farrelly then received a standing ovation from everyone in the courtroom which was packed at the time.

Mr Farrelly thanked everyone for their kind words. He said it had been a very fulfilling profession and he had given the best he could towards it.

Mr Farrelly, who is 69, studied law in Limerick and Galway and qualified as a solicitor in 1981, setting up Donal Farrelly & Co after completing his apprenticeship with Hoey & Denning in Tullamore.

He grew his practice to become one of the busiest in the region with a particular emphasis on criminal law though it was a full service firm. His office was located at the family home in Tullamore town centre and Mr Farrelly became a familiar figure in the local District and Circuit courts, along with regular appearances representing clients in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin.

Mr Farrelly attended secondary school in St Eunan's College, Letterkenny. His father, the late PJ Farrelly, was a garda inspector in the Donegal town prior to his appointment as superintendent in Tullamore.

“After more than 40 years I'm a long time at it,” Mr Farrelly told the Tullamore Tribune. “I'm retiring from practice now. Full retirement.”

Asked what he will do with the extra spare time, Mr Farrelly replied: “Play more golf.”

He added that Tony McGlynn, a solicitor in Athlone, “has very kindly agreed to take over my cases which have yet to be heard in court.”