Tributes paid after sad passing of Athlone solicitor
Warm tributes have been paid over the last week to Anthony Barry, a well-known solicitor and father of four from Athlone, who has died at the age of 61.
Mr Barry passed away on Tuesday, November 30, following an illness bravely borne.
Representatives of the legal profession in Athlone and the Midlands region are among those who have been mourning his passing and expressing condolences to his wife, Lorraine, and family.
Speaking at Athlone District Court last Wednesday, Mark Cooney paid tribute to him on behalf of solicitors in the area, while Judge Bernadette Owens joined in the condolences and recalled studying alongside Mr Barry in Dublin.
His passing was also marked at Mullingar Circuit Court last Friday, in remarks made by Judge Keenan Johnson.
Anthony was the eldest of seven children born to Christy and Bridie Barry. His father, a former principal of Cornafulla National School, died in June of last year at the age of 89.
Having attended the Marist College, Anthony went to UCD to study law and became an apprentice with Aidan O'Carroll, of Walker, O'Carroll and Hogan solicitors in Athlone.
His own practice began in Ballymahon, and then developed into a significant and busy legal firm in Athlone.
Mr Barry's office on Northgate Street was alongside that of another solicitor, Owen Carty.
"He built up a strong private client practice, with a very loyal following," said Mr Carty on Monday. "We all had a lot of time for him. He was a good, decent guy, who was very good at his job, too."
Outside of his career, Mr Barry was interested in sport and was an accomplished golfer, with a handicap of six.
At his funeral Mass in Our Lady's Queen of Peace Church, Coosan, on Friday last, he was remembered as a kind and loving father to his three sons, Aaron, Cormac and Shane, and his daughter, Orla.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived and sadly missed by his mother Bridie, sisters Frances, Hilda, Annelene and Marie, brothers John and Noel, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
May he rest in peace.