The Gazette 1983

GAZETTE

JULY/AUGUST

198

ERIC A. PLUNKETT, Secretary/Registrar, Incorporated Law Society of Ireland 1942—73 Eric A. Plunkett, Solicitor, who died on 20 June, 1983 had been Secretary of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland for thirty-one years when he retired in 1973. He succeeded William George Wakely who had held the office for fifty-four years. It was remarkable that the service of those two good men to the Society between them spanned eighty-five years. At the Charter Centenary Dinner of the Society in 1952 the late Arthur Cox, the then President, in proposing a toast to Eric Plunkett said "I spoke to-night of Mr. Wakely. He died about ten years ago and it was then that Eric Plunkett succeeded him. At that time we certainly thought that Mr. Wakely would never be replaced, but it is no reflection on Mr. Wakely to say we have secured a treasure, only those who have taken some small part in the preparation of the Centenary can know all that Eric Plunkett has done." For the Society Centenary, Eric produced a record of the Society and contributed to it a most erudite article entitled 'Attorneys and Solicitors in Ireland'. It was small wonder that as well as the President and Council, many past Presidents and members of the Society were present to/pay tribute when Father Jack McDonald S.J., Eric's brother-in-law celebrated the funeral Mass. For many it seemed like the passing of an era for the legal profession. When Eric was appointed there were just 1,000 Solicitors on the Roll and the members steadily increased until today there are 3,500. Down the arches of the years Eric quickly, efficiently and apparently almost effortlessly discharged the ever-

increasing diverse duties of his difficult office. He not only faithfully served his colleagues but also impartially served the public when required to pursue complaints requiring disciplinary action. He had the ability to serve two masters. In 1968 the Twelfth Conference of the International Bar Association was hosted in Dublin attended by some twelve hundred conferees and their wives. The great success of the Conference was largely due to Eric's advance work of preparation and his organising ability. He always maintained close liaison with the Law Societies of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and was responsible for building up excellent rapport which exists with these Bodies today. Eric's position necessitated attendance at many social functions particularly at Bar Association Dinners through- out the country, and these he obviously enjoyed. Being ever of a cheerful disposition, he always enjoyed good fellowship. Eric was educated at Belvedere College and the National University and was in private practice until his appoint- ment to the Society in 1942. He became a member of the St. Stanislaus Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society attached to Belvedere College and remained active in the Society all his life. He was also a Trustee and Director of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association and regularly attended its monthly meetings. He was present at a meeting a few days before his death. He will be a great loss to these two Charities. He will also be long remembered with gratitude and affection by his colleagues who have lost a real friend. It is hoped that these few lines of tribute will in some small way convey our sense of loss to Eric's dear wife, Stella and his children Arthur, Collette, Eric and Stella whom he so loved and be a little consolation to them at this time. May this good man rest in peace. E. McC.

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