Mayo legal profession pays tribute to young barrister

THERE was a sombre opening at a sitting of Castlebar District Court as members of the legal profession were united in mourning the death of one its most promising talents at the age of 30.

The death of Darragh McDonagh, BL, Cois Abhann, Kiltimagh, which was widely regretted in his local community, was also felt amongst his wide circle of friends.

And it was apparent from the many tributes paid in court of just how well he was regarded within the legal profession, where he was looking forward to a very bright future before he, despite a courageous battle, succumbed to illness.

Darragh was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and the King's Inn and he was welcomed to the Mayo legal profession at a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court in October 2023.

Solicitor Mr. Gary Mulchrone, on behalf of the Mayo Bar Association, along with Judge Sandra Murphy, barrister Diarmuid Connolly as well as An Garda Síochána and members of the Court Service, paid glowing tributes to Mr. McDonagh, who was described as an extremely bright and intelligent young man who had excellent prospects in life.

There was a particularly poignant and emotional tribute from Mr. Connolly, BL, who was tutor to the late Mr. McDonagh, describing him as ‘intelligent, bright and good humoured’.

He elaborated: “To have stood at the graveyard in Kiltimagh as the sun was setting and bathed the graveyard in golden light was an absolutely heartbreaking experience to see my former pupil being laid to rest at a mere 30 years of age.

“One of the greatest injustices in life is cutting short potential and Darragh had potential in absolute spades.

“He was an intelligent and bright man full of good humour.”

Mr. Connolly said among the last words from Darragh before he died was not about himself but words of concern for his parents as he worried about how they would cope following his death, an indication of the selfless attitude of Darragh who was always thinking of others.

He said his loss to the legal profession would be huge and he was lost for words but added that no words could be found to describe the sadness of losing a colleague at the start of what would surely have been a very successful legal career.

Judge Sandra Murphy said she knew Mr. McDonagh as a young boy and he had spent time in their solicitor’s office when he was a TY student.

“He was an extremely bright and intelligent young man who had an ambition to have a career in law from a very young age and it is heartbreaking to think his life has been struck down. He bore his illness for ten years with courage and dignity.

“He had an extremely bright future ahead of him and it is extremely heartbreaking for everybody that he wasn't able to have the opportunity he should have had,” she said.

Condolences were also expressed to the Molloy family, Ballina, on their great loss following the death of Dr. Conor Molloy, who passed away unexpectedly in his home in Dublin on December 19. He was son of Ballina solicitor Denis Molloy and his wife, Phil.

Judge Murphy expressed her sympathies to Mr. Molloy and his wife Phil and their children James and Olga on their sad loss.

“It is a loss which is immeasurable for his family,” she said.

Mr. Gary Mulchrone, president of the Mayo Solicitors Bar Association, joined in expressing sympathy to Mr. Molloy and his family, extending the sympathy and support of his colleagues at this very difficult time.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.