Tributes paid to ‘inspirational’ Donegal social worker Julie McCormack Devenney

The untimely death of Julie McCormack Devenney has been met with much shock and sadness by her family, friends, and amongst the many people that Julie encountered in her capacity as a social worker.

Julie, late of 6 Manor Court, Convoy, and formerly of Kilraine, Glenties, passed away in the presence of her loving family in Donegal Hospice on June 5. She was laid to rest in Glenties on June 7 following Mass in St Connell’s Church.

Predeceased by her father Tony, and mother-in law Noeleen, Julie will be very sadly missed by her husband Stephen, children Ethan, Adam and Sophie; her mother Ursula, her brother James, sister-in-law Laura; brother-in-law Christopher and his partner Erin Foley; her nieces, and nephews, extended family, and her circle of best friends.

Julie’s colleagues from Donegal West Assessment and Integration Team - of which she was team leader - were among those present at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, June 20, to hear heartfelt tributes paid by those who had encountered Julie within the court system. All of those who paid tribute also expressed their deepest condolences to Julie’s bereaved family.  

Noreen McCusker, CFA Solicitor with VP McMullin LLP Solicitors said: “There are people we meet in our careers who epitomise the very best of a chosen profession.

“When we are lucky enough to work with these people we know it because they get important and difficult things done and they bring you with them while they quietly go about their business.

“Julie was a doer. What she did was bring all of her being to work to protect children. Every day and in every case without exception. Anyone who knew her uses the same words to describe how she made such an impact. She brokered peace.

“She was a skilled negotiator with the gifts of modesty, and compassion. She always showed genuine empathy and respect for the parents of the children in her care. She was also very intelligent and not easily dissuaded. These traits led to the best possible outcomes for the children in her care whose lives she made better.

“Most notable in this court setting is that Julie was a passionate mentor to her team of young social workers. She found court work attritional and it made her nervous. She didn't pretend otherwise as she said it reminded her how much she cared. 

“She could often be seen on the edge of her seat in this court room totally invested as her team gave evidence in cases. Her team have lost their leader but they have gained a set of standards and values that will forever be Julie's legacy.”

Guardian ad Litem Michael Quinn spoke of Julie’s great ability to work with people regardless of how difficult the situation was and that the challenges were. 

“She could always find a way forward, and was always how parents and children would feel,” he said.

“Julie was understanding of how difficult things could be for families and she tried to find a way to alleviate that stress. 

“As a social worker, she was a consummate professional. I rarely had a consultation with Julie that didn’t make me think and reflect on my own practice.”

Mr Quinn praised Julie for always considering the impact of processes and procedures on families, and on her qualities as a team leader.

He reminded those present that Julie was also a mother, a wife, a daughter, someone who had a large and loving family circle.

Mr Quinn added: “She was someone really, really special and she is a huge loss to us all.”

Marie Crawley, Area Manager Tusla said it was testament to Julie that time had been taken from a pressured court schedule to pay tribute. 

“That is in itself testimony to the impact Julie had on all those who worked with her and the way in which she touched the lives of people she met in the course of her work,” said Ms Crawley.

She outlined how Julie started her career as a social worker with Tusla and previously with the HSE 23 years ago. She commenced her journey in the residential facility of Knocknamona, spent a number of years in the Fostering Service and more laterally worked as a Social Work Team Leader with the Child Protection and Welfare service in Donegal Town.

Ms Crawley said: “In losing Julie, we have lost a much-loved and respected colleague. Julie radiated positivity, she was kind, thoughtful and considerate in all her dealings with people colleagues, children, young people, families and professional allies in all sectors alike. 

“Julie was not just a wonderful social worker - she was an exceptional team leader. She consistently put her team and the families we serve first always. Her fierce commitment to make a difference was palpable to all who crossed her path.

“In this court arena, Julie's relentless pursuit of justice and fairness for the children she and her team represented was inspiring. Over the past few weeks the word 'unfair' and 'unjust' has been frequently used to describe Julie's early passing. There's a tragic irony in a life devoted to achieving justice and fairness for our most vulnerable children was in itself taken prematurely in a way that feels profoundly unjust.”

Ms Crawley spoke of how Julie maintained a positive, ‘can do’ attitude despite the challenging, pressured nature of her work.

“She was someone who saw opportunities and workarounds in the most challenging of situations, and she was presented with no shortage of these,” said Ms Crawley. 

“In her positivity however, she didn't hold back from speaking out, naming problems, identifying gaps and obstacles that prevented her team from being best equipped to respond to the needs of the children and families they work with.”

She also recalled Julie’s lighter side, reminding those present of ‘the fun, the laughter, the mischief, the light she brought into our lives.’”

Ms Crawley said that one of the most enduring parts of Julie's legacy was her team in Donegal Town. 

“Julie fostered the creation of a dedicated, dynamic team of committed social workers, social care workers and business support staff who share her vision that the achievement of the rights of children should be front and centre of all that they do all day, every day,” she said. 

“The team Julie nurtured and supported in its development has an incredibly strong sense of an identity as a team, of collective responsibility, an ethos of collaborative working. 

“It is a team united with shared values, a team determined to ensure children who have had a precarious start or journey in life will have the best futures we can endeavour to support them to achieve. All of these qualities are invaluable in the work that we do.

“Julie took immense pride in her team and rightly so. 

“Her legacy will live on in her team over the years and it will live on throughout the agency as members of this team move onwards and upwards in Tusla and they will bring the qualities developed individually and collectively in this team with them. So, while Julie has moved on, her legacy will remain alive with all of us who had the privilege of knowing her.

“Thank you Julie for your own unwavering commitment, for all that you have given us and for the enduring legacy you leave behind.”

Yvonne McGuinness, Legal Aid Board, Letterkenny Law Centre described Julie as ‘a beautiful lady.’

“She carried out her job with great professionalism, compassion and kindness as she navigated many families through a difficult period in their lives,” said Ms McGuinness.

“Whilst the legal aid board and Julie in her profession could be seen as being on opposite sides in the court process, only a few short months ago I sat in a meeting with Julie and marvelled at her ability to conduct what we do as a team effort, and she did this with great integrity.

“I hope Julie's family take some solace in knowing how highly respected and regarded she was in her professional life.”

Court clerk Connell Melley offered his condolences on behalf of himself and the court services. 

He read a message from District Court Judge Sandra Murphy, who was unable to attend.

“Julie was an excellent and dedicated team leader for the CFA in child care cases,” said Judge Murphy in her message.

“It was so obvious to everyone in court that she excelled in her role and cared deeply about the children in the care of the Child and Family Agency. 

“Her presence in court was always calm and highly professional. Her compassion and unwavering commitment to her work in a difficult and demanding role left a lasting impression in this District Court area. 

“Her outstanding contribution to the Child and Family Agency and the children in their care cannot be measured.

“To her husband Stephen, her children Ethan, Adam and Sophie, her mother Ursula, and her extended family I offer my sincere condolences. Her loss in your lives is beyond words.

“May her kind and gentle soul rest in peace.”