Tributes paid following death of much-loved Donegal solicitor

Tributes have been paid following the death of a much-loved Donegal solicitor.

Donegal Circuit Court heard that Raymond O’Neill was a “byword for integrity”.

Mr O’Neill, a native of Raphoe and late of Magheranan, Letterkenny, died on Sunday, December 14.

At Donegal Circuit Court, experienced barrister Mr Damien Crawford BL led the tributes to Mr O’Neill.

Mr Crawford said that Mr O’Neill was retired for a long time now having worked with VP McMullin Solicitors for many years.

He told how Mr O’Neill practised from Raphoe and specialised in conveyancing and commercial work.

“He was a fantastic mentor and a guide to young solicitors,” Mr Crawford said, adding that the late Mr O’Neill was an “excellent and highly regarded solicitor who was a byword for integrity”.

Mr Peter Nolan BL said he had one word to describe Mr O’Neill: “Gentleman”.

State Solicitor for Donegal, Mr Kieran Dillon, said he too wished to be associated with the remarks and said Mr O’Neill was a “great colleague”.

Judge John Aylmer said that while he did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr O’Neill, “he was clearly a very highly regarded member of the legal profession and much loved. The court extends condolences to his family.”

Mr O’Neill peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. 

He is survived by his wife Aileen, son Tony, daughter Sandra, nieces, nephews, neighbours, extended family and friends. 

His funeral Mass took place on Wednesday, December 17 in the Church of the Irish Martyrs Letterkenny and he was laid to rest in St Eunan’s Cemetery, Raphoe.