Mayo Circuit Court mourns 'warm and kind' legal advocate

The legal fraternity has paid heartfelt tributes to a talented young Mayo barrister following his sad passing.

Kiltimagh barrister Darragh McDonagh passed away on January 1st after an illness borne with courage and dignity.

Ahead of a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Eoin Garavan, Judge Sandra Murphy and legal colleagues and friends paid tribute to the popular and skilled barrister.

Darragh’s parents John and Marie were present for the tributes while other family members tuned in online.

“He was a man versed in the law and clearly loved it,” said Judge Garavan. “What struck me from the outset when I had the pleasure to meet him was his politeness, his intelligence, his manners.

“He is here with all of is in all our thoughts and all our prayers."

Judge Murphy also joined in the tributes.

"Darragh was a young barrister of exceptional promise, highly intelligent, warm and kind. It is clear from speaking to his Mum and Dad and everyone that knew Darragh that he wore all of those attributes very lightly. He also wore his illness very lightly and had extraordinary hope for his future, as all of us did from him.

“His death is a profound loss to the legal community in the Western Circuit of which he was a valued member. It is a loss beyond words or measure to his lovely family,” she added.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone, speaking on behalf of the Mayo Solicitors’ Bar Association, said Darragh’s “kind and considered manner and his very clear-sighted approach” was always evident.

Friends and fellow barristers Hugh O’Leary and Jack Ryan trained and studied with Darragh. Mr Ryan said Darragh had immense ability and was “very special". 

“He provided me with so much happiness and memories that will never leave me,” he added.

Mr O’Leary said Darragh was “the glue” that held all his friends together.

“Darragh was not just one of those rare people, he was utterly unique and I’m so grateful to have known him,” he stated.

Darragh devilled for barrister Diarmuid Connolly who said the young man was “well on his way to being a formidable advocate". 

“Perhaps the saddest thing is his last text to me which said, ‘As long as I am out for Christmas I will be happy.’ What a simple demand and thing to look forward to but he was denied that,” said Mr Connolly.

He said when Darragh learned his illness was going to claim his life, concern for his parents and family was uppermost in his mind.

“If you only know one thing about Darragh McDonagh, barrister-at-law, that is what speaks to his character,” said Mr Connolly.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.