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govern the professional conduct o f solicitors towards
their clients on the one hand and between themselves
on the other.
“ The three oldest professions which, at one time,
were the only professions are the clergy, the law
and medicine. They have a characteristic which
is shared by every calling that can be properly
regarded as a profession. The essential character
istic o f every profession is that admission is limited
to those who after proper examination show them
selves duly qualified to practise it, and that when a
person has been admitted to the profession his first
duty is towards his client and his second towards
himself. I f there is a conflict between the two
interests the duty towards the client must prevail.
This concept of professional duty is particularly
important in our profession where clients entrust
us daily with their family secrets, their reputation,
their money, and regard us as their guides, phil
osophers and friends. It is particularly important
that a young solicitor should realise this at the out
set because in the early years of practice, before he
has acquired the balanced judgment that comes
with maturity, he may find himself in a situation
where he may be tempted, for the sake of some
financial gain or some passing advantage, to do
something which is contrary to the code of honour
of the profession. I do not propose to give you a
long lecture here to-day. You have all had the
benefit o f the lectures on the Rights, Duties and
Responsibilities of Solicitors, which you heard as
apprentices. I f you observe the precepts enjoined
in these lectures you will not go far astray, but if
you ever find yourself in a position of doubt as to
the proper course to be adopted, I would advise
you to write to the Secretary o f this Society, asking
for the Society’s guidance and with its opinion to
protect you, you may rest assured that you can be
certain o f doing the right thing. Before dis
tributing the parchment certificates I would ask
each of you to do two things :—(x) Become a
member of the Incorporated Law Society from
which you received your professional education
and which is the representative body of the pro
fession you are now joining ; (2) Join the Solicitors’
Benevolent Association which is our only pro
fessional charity and which provides assistance for
members o f the profession who, through no fault
of their own, have fallen on evil days. The annual
subscription is only
£ 1,
and Mr. Glynn, Hon.
Secretary of the Association, will be very glad to
hear from you.”
The following received Certificates o f Admission :
Christopher J . R. Beatty; William L. Carroll;
Kenneth Francis Clear ; Augustine I. Cunninghan ;
Andrew Patrick Curneen ; Dermott Curran ; John
Anthony D illon ; Richard Francis Gallagher;
Dermot M. O. Gleeson; Joseph J. Hughes ;
Thelma K in g ; Liam Desmond McGonagle;
Herbert E. St. George McClenaghan; Sean J.
Magee; James Marshall; Philip T. Meagher;
Augustine A. Mooney; Louis Noonan; Patrick
Joseph Noonan; Norman Arthur Peilow; Patrick
Quinn; John Nathaniel R o ss; Andrew Francis
R yan ; James J. Sheerin; Philip Sheil; Patrick
Joseph Skehan ; Michael M. Smyth ; James Tuohy;
Richard Woulfe.
Mr. Andrew P. Curneen received the Certficate
for the award o f the Overend Scholarship.
Mr. Liam D. McGonagle received a Silver Medal.
OBITUARY
M
r
. J
ohn
R.
P
eart
,
Solicitor, died at his residence,
18 Greenfield Park, Donnybrook, Dublin, on 2nd
September, 1950.
Mr. Peart who was formerly a barrister-at-law,
was admitted in Hilary Sittings, 1918, and practised
at 35 Westmoreland Street, and 38 St. Stephen’ s
Green, until his retirement in June, 1949.
M
r
. J
ohn
K
elly
died at his residence, Belclare
Lodge, Westport, Co. Mayo, on 24th November,
1950.
Mr. Kelly served his apprenticeship with the late
Mr. Henry J. Concannon, Solicitor, Tuam, Co.
Galway, was admitted in Michaelmas Sittings, 19x1,
and practised at Westport until his appointment as
Co. Registrar in 1929.
M
r
. C
harles
J.
C
rowley
,
Solicitor, died at 64
North Circular Road, Dublin, on 2nd December,
1950.
Mr. Crowley served his apprenticeship with his
father, the late John Crowley, 50 Lower O’Connell
Street, Dublin, was admitted in Hilary Sittings,
1905, and practised at 52 Lower O’Connell Street,
Dublin, as senior partner in the firm of Messrs.
Crowley & Bolger until his retirement in 1924.
-M
r
. F
rancis
J.
A
llen
,
Solicitor, died at his resi
dence, 92 Ranelagh Road, Dublin, on 3rd Decem
ber, 1950.
Mr. Allen served his apprenticeship with the
late Mr. A . E. Goodbody, Solicitor, 30 College
Green, Dublin, was admitted in Hilary Sittings,
19 17, and practised at 43 Dame Street, Dublin.
43