Legal community pays tribute to ‘formidable’ Dundalk solicitor James MacGuill

The legacy of local solicitor James MacGuill on the legal system both nationally and at EU level, was recalled when tributes were paid to the former Law Society President, at Dundalk district court last Wednesday.

They were led by District Court judges Stephanie Coggans and Peter White, both of whom had previously worked in the legal practice of the 63 year old who passed away on 6th September last. Family members were present in the courtroom including his son Conor, and his brother Conor who is also a solicitor.

Judge White said he was both saddened and honoured to be there and noted how he had entered the courthouse in December 1999 under James' tutelage and recalled how he had told the court on one occasion that his client who was in custody " was not present because he wasn't in charge of his own transport".

The judge added Mr MacGuill "could win awards for his euphemisms" and had a vast amount of energy and while legal action taken on behalf of clients was "very often done on a shoestring budget" he had relished being on the side of David against Goliath.

Judge White said James had a unique ability to spot a legal point and "had no time for dishonesty and deceit" and told how he was both generous with his time and his phone never went unanswered.

Judge Coggans said "we are as a legal community the worst for this" and his death was a terrible shock. The judge added that the district courts in Louth work well together - solicitors, barristers and An Garda Síochána "and that is something James contributed to over the years".

State Solicitor for County Louth Fergus Mullen, who was also representing the Louth Bar Association" said James MacGuill's passing has left "a great void locally and nationally" and he was recognised by the Prosecution as formidable and greatly respected.

His former colleague had gone on to UCC after attending St Mary's College and said one of the best pieces of training any guard could have, was to be rigorously cross examination by James MacGuill.

After outlining a number of landmark cases in which James MacGuill acted including a successful application declaring a miscarriage of justice, Mr Mullen recalled how he was made a Senior Counsel in 2020 having earlier championed the rights of solicitors to be represented in the higher courts "here and in Europe".

Mr Mullen concluded by saying James had "left an indelible mark on the Irish legal system and that won't be forgotten - he was one of the best of them".

Tributes were also paid by Shane Coyle on behalf of the Drogheda Bar Association, Niall Mackin BL, Rachel O'Malley on behalf of the Probation Service and Patricia Erasmus of the Courts Service.

Supt Michael Dorrigan of Dundalk Garda Station said James MacGuill had tested the evidence to the highest standard and it was a good mark of a solicitor if a guard comes back from court giving out about him "and that happened regularly".

Conor MacGuill in acknowledging the tributes paid to his brother said "Wherever James went, this building and this room, was always his home" and added it was a "constant source of amusement that all of his trainees ended up in the employment of the State. He was proud of you all".

Tributes to the late Dundalk solicitor were also paid by Sinn Féin’s Ruairí Ó Murchú and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan on Wednesday, the first day of the new Dáil term.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “James, as many will know, was a titan of the legal profession, not just in Louth or the State but across Europe. In many ways, he was passionate about the rule of law but he also rewrote the rules himself at times with cases he brought to the highest courts in the State and Europe, which meant that legislation had to be changed.

“He is a terrible loss first and foremost to his family but also to his many friends in the legal profession and further afield. I extend my deepest sympathies to them on this terrible loss”.

Minister O’Callaghan said Mr MacGuill was ‘fearless’ and ‘one of the finest solicitors in the country’.

“I join Deputy Ó Murchú in expressing my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the solicitor, James MacGuill, who died recently.

“James was one of the finest solicitors in the country. He was a formidable opponent, and he was fearless in representing his clients.

“Anyone who had the privilege to do a case with James MacGuill, as I did, or indeed against him, would know of his full commitment to his client. He really was a fine example of a hard-working, diligent, conscientious solicitor.

“He was also very entertaining and engaging company. I will miss the mischief I always experienced when we engaged with each other”.