A sportsman, a good family man, and a distinguished lawyer who always put people’s needs first and foremost, these were just some of the heartfelt tributes paid at the Galway courthouse to local solicitor Jarlath McInerney who died following a fall at his home last Saturday.
The legal profession was left in shock and was saddened this week following the sudden death of one of its most valued and respected colleagues.
Leading the tributes at Galway District Court last Monday, Judge Eamon O’Brien said that he had been “horrified” to learn of the death of such a pleasant and sociable colleague.
On behalf of the Galway Solicitors’ Bar Association solicitor Adrian MacLynn extended his sympathies to Mr McInerney’s wife Jackie and their three children. He went on to say that Mr McInerney was a “young man who had reached the top of his profession... He was very involved in charity work, particularly with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and was coaching in juvenile football and hurling with Salthill Knocknacarra”.
Mr MacLynn added that Mr McInerney (47 ), a native of Gort, had worked in England after graduating and came back to Galway to open an office, McInerney solicitors, in Eyre Square.
Inspector Sean Glynn also paid his respects and extended his deepest sympathies, to Mr McInerney’s wife, his young family, and his mother following the “sudden and untimely death”.
“He was a close professional friend and a personal friend. He was always very compassionate and a sporting man. He put people’s need first and foremost.”
Following a proposal by solicitor Gearoid Geraghty, Judge O’Brien then adjourned the court for 20 minutes as a mark of respect.
The removal took place at St Joseph’s Church, Presentation Road, on Monday evening. Following 11am Mass, Mr McInerney of Taylor’s Hill, Galway, was laid to rest at Bohermore cemetery yesterday.
