Tributes paid to well-known Dundalk solicitor James MacGuill

Tributes have been paid to the “brilliant and well-respected solicitor” James MacGuill who passed away at the age of 63 in hospital following a short illness.

Mr MacGuill, from Dundalk Co Louth, was also a senior counsel who was involved in many high profile and significant cases during his 40 year career as a lawyer, including Ireland’s first ever criminal prosecution for female genital mutilation.

He represented a father who was wrongfully convicted of the female genital mutilation of his daughter.

The convictions of the man and his wife were overturned and were subsequently declared a miscarriage of justice by the Court of Appeal earlier this year.

Mr MacGuill was also involved in a case which led to the reform of the compensation scheme for victims of crime.

Mr MacGuill was Managing Partner of MacGuill and Co in Dundalk.

Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, paid tribute to Mr MacGuill, saying: “James was a brilliant and well-respected solicitor who understood the law at a molecular level, and used his incredible intelligence to push back on the State where he believed that there were infringements on the human rights of his clients.

“He worked extremely hard, was always well-prepared and was as comfortable before the highest courts in the land as he was before the district court in Dundalk.

“The last time we spoke, earlier this summer, he was in touch with me about the reform to the Legal Aid system and was a passionate advocate for his colleagues.

“He will be greatly missed among the legal fraternity and the people he represented, particularly in Louth.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, his friends and his colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis”.

Mr MacGuill was a former president of the Law Society in 2007 and 2008.

The Law Society of Ireland, in a statement said it is “saddened by the death of solicitor, past president, and friend, James MacGuill SC”.

“Over a 40-year career, James was one of the country's most prominent litigation solicitors, with a particular focus on public law and criminal defence law.

“He represented clients in landmark cases in both Ireland and Europe, including representing a defendant in Ireland’s first ever criminal prosecution for female genital mutilation.

“His passion for criminal law and human rights law show the people-centred approach he applied to his work.

“James embodied the core of what it means to be a solicitor – to achieve the object of justice for any person who needs it.

“The contribution James has made to the Law Society, the solicitors’ profession, and Irish law is immeasurable. His sound judgement, advice, and wit will be missed by colleagues.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”