The Gazette 1921-25

JUNE, 1922]

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

M. Ross Todd of Dublin, M. D. McCoy of Limerick, William Burroughs Stanley of Dublin, a former President ; David A. Ouaid of Dublin, F. A. Cunningham of Belfast, E. S. Jones of Belfast, R. S. Holland of Omagh, Elliott McNeill of Dublin, Edward Counihan of Kilrush, Francis Fitzmanrice of Dunmanway, J. H. Moran of Limerick, Levins O'Reilly and R. B. Falkiner of Dublin. Each and every one of these gentlemen was a well known and honoured Member of his Profession. The circum stances of Mr. Fitzmaurice's death sent a thrill of horror not only through his old professional comrades but through the entire community. He practised in Dunmanway, Co. Cork, for 48 years ; a Protestant, he lived in peace and harmony with his Catholic neighbours and had attained to a ripe and honoured old age. That such a man should be brutally murdered as a so-called reprisal for murders equally barbarous committed in the North is contrary to every Christian principle. There is no doubt that the over whelming majority of Irishmen regard such crimes with abhorrence and disgust. Since our last meeting our Northern brethren have obtained a Charter estab lishing a separate Society for the Six Counties. The Council genuinely regrets this. Since the foundation of our Society the most cordial relations have always existed in the profession between north and south. No difference either of creed or politics has ever marred these relations. The Council have always held the view that there was no solid reason for setting up two systems of legal administration in this country. It is now, however, an accomplished fact and we can only hope that in days not far off that we will come together again and work as one undivided profession in the interests of the community and ourselves. I shall .only add in this connection that notwith standing this, as I hope, temporary severance, this Council will hold themselves always ready to co-operate with our Northern brethren as far as they will allow us. The fact that some of our Northern brethren are forsaking us is a powerful reason why every Solicitor in the Twenty-six Counties should support the Law Society. In normal times the support given to the Society by

the Profession has not been such as one should expect. We are now living in abnormal times. The Society is passing through a period of great difficulty, and it behoves every Solicitor who has not only his own interests but also those of the Profession as a whole at heart to join the Society, and thus strengthen its resources and enable it to effectively voice the claims of our Profession. I have always believed in the principle of properly regulated Trade Unionism. A Society can always more effectively voice a claim than an individual. I trust, therefore, that by November there will be such an accession of membership as will make the Society more powerful than ever. In this connection may I say that the Council .would welcome suggestions from Solicitors practising in the country as to how the Society could be improved and strengthened. I had the ambition of personally meeting some of the Local Sessions Bars throughout the country and discussing with them various questions affecting our Profession, but unfortunately the present troubles have made such a course impracticable at the moment. With the advent of peace, however, I shall certainly embrace opportunities of meeting my brethren in the country and conferring with them as to any question which they think should be discussed and carefully con sidering any proposals made on behalf of local practitioners. I regret that recent events have deprived us temporarily of the Solicitors' Buildings. The occupation of the Four Courts by an armed force inevitably involves the occupa tion by that force of the premises of this Society, which, perhaps, the pablic do not quite realise, form a distinct building from the Four Courts and are the private property of this Society. You can all readily appreciate that our work has been carried on with considerable difficulty but it has been carried on. Owing to the prompt action of our Secretary our functions have not been interrupted. The Lectures and Examinations for our Students are pro ceeding, the Council Meetings are being held and the general government of the Profession is being carried on. It is very unfortunate that members are for the time