A minute's silence observed at court sitting in honour of esteemed Mayo solicitor

A minute's silence was observed at a sitting of Castlebar District Court today in honour of Mr. Rory O'Connor, solicitor, whose death has taken place.

One of the best known and most esteemed solicitors in the county, his passing is greatly mourned in the community.

In his 70s, he practised at the firm of Garavan & O'Connor, Main Street, Castlebar, since the mid-1970s.

He was a native of Charlestown and resided in Pontoon.

Paying tribute to him this evening, Mayo County Registrar Fintan Murphy described the deceased as an outstanding solicitor with an innate sense of justice for his client.

He was very popular within legal circles, having a wonderful sense of humour and never being short of a good story to tell.

Members of the profession will pay tribute to him at a court sitting in Castlebar tomorrow morning.

He is deeply regretted by his son Roddy, daughter-in-law Niamh, granddaughter Eliza, brother Barry (Sligo), sister Patricia Nowlan (Kildare), nieces, nephews, brother-in-law William, Roddy's mother Angela (Castlebar), close friend Pippa, colleagues, neighbours and many friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

Removal takes place from Coady's Funeral Home on Friday morning at 11 a.m. for Requiem Mass at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.

Rory will be laid to rest afterwards in Gurteen Cemetery, Roundstone.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.