TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of former District Court Judge John O’Donnell.
The late Judge O’Donnell passed away peacefully at his home in Mullingar, County Westmeath on December 28.
Judge O’Donnell presided in the Donegal district for a decade.
At today’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court, Judge Paul Kelly expressed his sympathies to the family of the late Judge O’Donnell.
“I met him quite a number of times and he always expressed great fondness for the county and the practitioners with whom he had contact with when he was here,” Judge Kelly said.
“He has been retired for some time now. He served in this district for ten years.
“He always made a point of speaking to me when we met about his time here.
“I want to extend my condolences to the family on their bereavement.”
Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian joined in the sentiments.
“He served here with distinction for ten years or slightly more,” Mr Dorrian said. “He was a soul of high courtesy and of reason and was highly respected by all.”
Sergeant Jim Collins added deep sympathies and condolences to the family of the late Judge O’Donnell on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
Judge O’Donnell was survived by his wife Finola and their children Philip, Sally-Ann, Julie, Gillian – Richard, Adrian, Philip and their 23 grandchildren, sister Margaret, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was laid to rest following Funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King on New Year’s Eve.