The Gazette 1995

DECEMBER 1995

GAZETTE

Appreciation to Judge John and his wife Eileen

Cassidy

It is with great sadness, but also with a real sense of privilege, that I have responded to this invitation to write an appreciation of the late Judge John Bernard Cassidy and of his wife, the former Senator Eileen Cassidy. Although their death in a motor accident in October was sudden and shocking, it lacked the element of tragedy because their lives had been so fulfilled and fruitful. I had known the late Judge Cassidy almost all his (and my) professional life. He was, of course, the foremost exponent of the law relating to intoxicating liquor in Ireland and I came to know him first as friendly adversary and later "as ally and mentor in this field. When John Cassidy pronounced on the Licensing Law, he spoke, as it were, ex cathedra; no problem was incapable of resolution once he applied his learning and expertise to the matter. It was during the course of these exercises on behalf of our clients, that I became acquainted also with his family, (one of whom, Pamela, later became my apprentice). His wife Eileen was appointed by former Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, as one i of his nominees to the Senate, in which capacity she served for some years, I with distinction. It was to the satisfaction of all who had had the pleasure of working with John Cassidy and who had met his wife, when his career culminated in his appointment to the Circuit Court Bench some nine years ago. Judge Cassidy was a man of quiet, i courteous charm. He inspired enormous confidence, and affection, in his clients and his wife was in every way his intellectual equal.

The Cassidy family

their greatest achievement, and the one in which they took the most joy and | satisfaction, was in their wonderful family. Each of their children has attained a maturity which is uniquely his or hers alone and they have nevertheless remained a family, united and mutually supportive to a very high degree. In extending sympathy, then, to the family, on the death of their parents, I can confidently say that they have all fulfiled their parents aspirations for them, and I believe that in that | knowledge they will find their comfort in the years to come.

Three of the Cassidy children are solicitors, Pamela and Isobel work in Clifford Chance in London. Frank is a senior Solicitor in the Chief State solicitors office. Constance is a very active member of the bar.

OFFSHORE SERVICES Providing International Offshore Trusts, Companies and Administration Services since 1985. Multilingual staff-Specialist Spanish connections Professionalism and confidentiality assured. Europa Trust Company Limited Bourne Concourse, Peel Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 1JJ Tel: 00 44 1624 814555 Fax: 00 44 1624 816299 Contact Paul M Brennock FCIS, F Inst D John M Watterson Solicitor

| As I came to know them better, however, it became clear to me that

Judge Thelma King

321