The Gazette 1992

GAZETTE

MARCH 1992

Solicitors Benevolent Association

In this article Clare Leonard, secretary of the Solicitors Benevolent Association, describes the vital work done by the Association to help members of the profession, or their dependants, who are in need through illness, desertion, unemployment, alcoholism or other reasons. It sometimes occurs to me that while members of the profession are aware that funds are collected, if only because members pay an annual subscription with their practising certificates, they have no very clear idea of what role the Association plays within the profession. This is The object of the Solicitors Benevolent Association, which was instituted in 1863, is to help needy members of the profession and their dependants throughout the entire island of Ireland. It is funded by voluntary contribution and functions as a completely separate entity from both Law Societies. The directors, who give generously of their time, meet on a monthly basis to assess applicants, review existing grants and monitor financial resources. In order to ensure that the Association is representative of the profession at large, attention has been given over the past couple of years to appointing a number of additional directors throughout the country. At a recent meeting in Dublin there were directors present from Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Tipperary, Cork, Belfast as well as from Dublin. At least one or two meetings every year are held at a venue other than Dublin. There have been several meetings over the past number of years in Belfast, also in Killarney, Kilkenny and Cork. partly because assistance to beneficiaries is provided on a confidential basis.

desertion, unemployment, alcoholism or for some other reason. We pay out on average about £9,500 to £10,000 every month and send out 55 to 60 cheques. We help different people in different ways and great care and attention is given to establishing what the need of each individual is. The Association also employs the assistance of a social worker on a part-time basis. I am constantly heartened by the courage of those we help some of whom deal with very adverse circumstances. As secretary, I get some wonderful letters. I particularly liked the one where we had been helping a young wife, deserted with two dependent children, who got herself a job and managed her affairs to the point where she no longer needed our help although her budget remained restricted. The Association sent her a grant at Christmas and her acknowledging letter began "There is a Santa Claus after all." (Continued on page 70)

Clare Leonard helped by the Association was that of "distressed gentlefolk". This may have been valid at some time in the past but is no longer the case. We still help elderly members of the profession and dependants living on fixed incomes but there is a growing number of younger beneficiaries, many with dependent children, who are in need through illness,

Golf Outings Bring your clients, friends, relatives Proceeds in aid of the Solicitors Benevolent Association

VENUE

O R G AN I S ER

DATE Friday

Oonagh Sheridan, John Glynn & Co., Tel: 515099 Fax: 515120

Newlands Golf Club,

Dublin

1st May 1992

Michael Keane

Connemara Golf

Saturday

9th May 1992

Course

Michael Keane & Company, Tel: 094-71208 Fax: 094-71977

Neil Breheny

Waterford Golf

Friday

Kenny Stephenson & Chapman

22nd May 1992 Course

Tel: 051-75855 Fax: 051-77620

Cyril Coyle

Dundalk Golf

Friday

Corrigan Coyle & Kennedy, Tel: 042-40010 Fax: 042-40329

12th June 1992 Course

Traditionally, the profile of those

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