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GAZETTE
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995
Personally, my abiding memories of
Noel will revolve around the Solicitors
Bill. Together with
Mary Keane
the
three of us had many an interesting and
good-humoured session debating and
drafting a proposed change to the Bill.
Noel's Department of Justice
experience in this respect was
invaluable, as was his ability to present
the arguments for the proposed change
to the same Department.
In a more social context, a great many
of us will fondly remember Noel's
wide-ranging ability (and stamina) as a
singer. A more elite number of us will
remember his exhaustive knowledge
of horseracing - if ever there was a
round peg for the round hole it is Noel
as CEO of the Irish Horseracing
Authority. My only concern is that
his love of the racing game will not
now be diminished by reason of his
professional involvement in it.
My reflection on Noel as a singer is
tinged with a sense of lost opportunity.
His departure from the Society has
accidently coincided with the coming
into office of both President
Paddy
Glynn
and Senior Vice-President
Andy
Smyth,
the only similarly gifted singers
I
on the Council. What a trio they would
' have made at bar association functions
| around the country!
In concluding, I also wish to pay tribute
to Noel's wife
Una
- ever good-
•! humoured and ever-tolerant of the
many late nights that were part and
parcel of Noel's life as Director
i General and also his children, in
particular the youngest,
Katie,
whose
presence at annual conferences was a
joy for young and old alike.
Michael V. O'Mahony
•
Conce rned Lawyers Raise Funds
Barristers and solicitors joined together
in the Christmas spirit by holding a
mulled wine reception in the Kings Inns
on Friday 16 December. The function
was a fundraising event for CLASP
(Concerned Lawyers Association for
the Alleviation of Social Problems).
The guest of honour at the function was
American Ambassador,
Jean Kennedy-
Smith.
The function was attended by
Paddy Glynn,
President of the Law
Society. The main support up to now
comes from the Law Library.
Paddy
Glynn
would like to see more solicitors
getting involved. The current Chairman
of CLASP is
Murrough O 'Rourke,
Solicitor and there are some solicitors
on the Committee.
John de Vere White
conducted an
auction of a variety of items including a
Mick Mulcahy
painting. He was assisted
by Senior Counsel
James O 'Driscoll.
CLASP was founded six years ago to
help in the alleviation of social
At the reception organised by CLASP were l-r: Murrough O'Rourke, Chairman, CLASP; Jean
Kennedy-Smith, American Ambassador and Patrick A. Glynn, President, Law Society.
problems. To date Focus Point, St.
Vincent's Trust, Exchange House and
the Merchant's Quay Project are
among the charities who have received
funding from CLASP. The Salvation
Army's Granby Centre (off Dorset
Street) received over £13,000 which
helped house 100 people from one fund
raiser earlier this year.
Patrons of CLASP include Mr. Justice
Hugh O'Flaherty,
Judge
Patrick Smith
and Judge
Liam Devally.
If you would
like to get involved with CLASP or
make a contribution contact:
Patricia
Madigan,
Tel: 702 4524.
•
Irish Solicitors Bar
Association London Ball
(Continued from page 26)
A
very special word of thanks is due to
Greenaways, (who are also the printers
to the Queen!) who agreed to produce
the programme for our Ball free of
charge. They also produced a stunning
souvenir programme, which I am sure
was much appreciated by those who had
taken advertisements in it and it will
have provided a nice souvenir of the
evening for others.
Finally, I would like to take the
opportunity to persuade other Irish
solicitors to come to our Ball next year.
For those who have clients in London or
who receive referral work from London
firms, it provides an ideal opportunity
for practice development. I have been
assured by Irish firms who have taken
tables at the Ball that it is very useful for
practice development to be able to
cement existing professional links in a
convivial and legally-orientated setting.
For those of you who do not have clients
or practice links in London, it is still a
very enjoyable evening for a good cause
and could be combined with a shopping
trip or a visit to friends in London. Our
1995 Ball will be advertised in the
Gazette well in advance!
The best news of all is that the Ball
succeeded in raising about £3,000 for
the NSPCC's Refuge.
•
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