Bust unveiled to man who broke the mould in legal circles

FORMER Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday (Monday) unveiled a portrait bust of the late Thomas Valentine O’Connor in the Cultural Centre, Swinford, and described the former solicitor and coroner as a man who broke the mould in Irish legal circles.

Thomas Valentine (better known as Val) practised successfully in the family firm from 1937 until his death in November 1988.

He became Coroner for East Mayo in succession to his late father, Pat (1900-1942). In 1972, Val became the first Mayoman to be elected President of the Law Society of Ireland.

Mr. O’Connor was one of the most respected legal practitioners in Ireland. This is evident from the many tributes paid to him on his death.

One in particular, from his fellow solicitor and coroner, Michael J. Egan, summed up Val’s loss to the legal system and the nation as a whole. “He was a man of utmost integrity and built up one of the most prestigious practises in the country. His death has caused a vacuum in Ireland which will be hard to fill,” Mr. Egan explained in an article carried in that week’s edition of The Western People.

Mr. O’Connor’s many achievements and lifetime of contribution to the local community in Co. Mayo and further afield were highlighted at the unveiling by the former Taoiseach in front of an appreciative audience, where the ongoing family legal business was well represented.

The attendance included Pat O’Connor (son), Katie O’Connor and William O’Connor (grandchildren), Patty Coss, office manager of P. O’Connor & Son who is 40 years with the firm, Pauline Kilduff, secretary in charge of the Kiltimagh office, Paul Cunney and Samantha Geraghty, the other two partners in the firm.