Judge's warm tribute to Limerick solicitor who was a 'consummate professional and thorough gentleman'
A JUDGE paid a warm tribute to a solicitor who was a consummate professional, thorough gentleman and involved in the legal life of Limerick city for decades.
Judge Tom O’Donnell, speaking at the start of Wednesday’s circuit court sitting, said it was with great sadness that he learned of the passing of Patrick J (Paddy) Geraghty, of the Mill Road, Corbally.
“He was a great friend of mine and involved in the legal life of Limerick city for a very long time. He qualified in the 1970s and started in Tynan Solicitors before setting up his own practice,” said Judge O’Donnell.
Mr Geraghty was most associated with Connolly Sellors Geraghty Solicitors. He was also a member of Limerick Golf Club and a former president of Old Crescent RFC.
However, it is of Mr Geraghty on a soccer field that Judge O’Donnell has fond memories of.
“He was a great player in his day and with the Limerick Bar association - there were famous victories and shocking defeats. He was a fixture in the back four.
“He was a keen golfer and card player,” said Judge O’Donnell, who expressed his deepest sympathies to Mr Geraghty’s wife Rosalind, also a solicitor, and children Peter, Diana and Philip on their loss.
“He was a consummate professional and thorough gentleman,” said Judge O’Donnell, who added that the grief was compounded by the passing of businessman Brian ‘Jack’ Leonard, who died in Spain last week.
“They were great friends and played golf together,” said Judge O’Donnell.
John O’Sullivan BL, on behalf of the South Western Circuit, extended his condolences to the family of Mr Geraghty who he said gave a long-standing service to the public for many years.
Mr O’Sullivan also noted that Mr Leonard’s menswear store was a popular venue for counsel and particularly young men down from Dublin who were short of the regalia.
President of the Limerick Solicitors Bar Association, Julianne Kiely said Judge O’Donnell’s words were “most eloquent” and wished to be associated with his tribute.
“Mr Geraghty was well-liked and there was great sadness at news of his passing. On behalf of the solicitors of Limerick city and county, I would like to express my condolences to his family on their great loss,” said Ms Kiely.
State solicitor Padraig Mawe, on behalf of the State and the State’s authorities, expressed his sympathies to the Geraghty family.
“May he rest in peace,” said Mr Mawe.
Mr Geraghty is missed and fondly remembered by his wife Rosalind and children Peter, Diana and Philip, by Marsha, Alisa and Sarah, his sisters Emer, Yvonne and Sheila, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and his many friends.
Reposing at home on Mill Road [Eircode: V94 XK7K] on Friday, November 3 from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral arriving at St Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue on Saturday, November 4 for Requiem Mass at 2pm. Burial afterwards in St Nicholas’ Cemetery, Adare.