Funeral details announced for renowned legal journalist Aodhan O'Faoláin
Funeral details have been announced for renowned legal journalist and long-time Athlone resident Aodhan O'Faolain, following his untimely death last week.
Aodhan will repose at Quinn’s of Glasthule, County Dublin today (Wednesday, May 14) from 4pm to 6pm. His funeral service will take place on Thursday, May 15, in Mount Jerome Crematorium - Victorian Chapel, at 3.15pm, followed by cremation.
Mr. O'Faolain, who was aged 50, passed away in St Vincent's University Hospital on Friday evening last, May 9, having been diagnosed with cancer last year.
Attorney General Rossa Fanning led tributes to the hugely-respected journalist, who was born in Galway, but grew up in Athlone, describing him as a “scrupulously fair court journalist” who would be remembered for his “professionalism and integrity” said the Attorney General, who added that he would be “sadly missed by the generation of judges and barristers whose work he chronicled.”
In his capacity as a reporter with the court reporting agency, Ireland International, for over two decades he filed copy from the High Court, Appeal Court and Supreme Court for all national and local media organisations.
Throughout his career as a legal reporter, Aodhan O'Faolain covered many high-profile court cases, among them being the long-running legal dispute between Enoch Burke and Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham.
Among the many warm tributes paid to the late journalist by his colleagues was a deeply personal tribute from veteran court reporter, Ray Managh, who worked closely alongside him for many years, and described him as someone who was “trusted and admired for his professionalism and work ethic, his ever-present chirpy smile and his most casual of dress codes".
President of the National Union of Journalists and media relations officer to the Courts Service, Gerry Curran, said Aodhan O'Faolain's “inquisitiveness and curiosity about life was reflected in his copy, as much as his manners and decency were reflected in his actions” and added that he had brought “much understanding” of the process of law to so many by “simply telling us what happened in an accessible and no-nonsense way.” He also described him as “the nicest, most polite and accommodating of people.”
Outside of his work as a legal journalist, the late Aodhan O'Faolain, who lived in south Dublin, was a huge sports fan and an avid support of the Irish rugby and soccer teams, along with Connaught rugby and his beloved Athlone soccer club.
Paying tribute to his memory, Athlone Town AFC said he was a “lifelong supporter” and “valued member” of the club family who had given of his “time, passion and talent” to promoting the club he loved in his role as their former Media Officer.
“Aodhan's love for sport was clear to all who met him” said the Athlone Town tribute, which added that he will be “fondly remembered and sorely missed” by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Among the other local tributes this week was one from Fianna Fail Cllr for the Athlone Area of Roscommon Municipal District, and Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, John Keogh, who said he knew the late Aodhan O'Faolain from his secondary school days and subsequently in his role as a legal correspondent.
“He had his finger on the pulse politically...always clued in on what was happening nationally and locally in Roscommon and Westmeath,” said Cllr Keogh, who added that he was “a great conversationalist, was charismatic and had an impressive intellect.”
The late Aodhan O'Faolain provided many court reports to this paper over the years. Editor Tadhg Carey said his unfailing helpfulness and assistance in navigating the national court scene was invaluable and deeply appreciated.
He is survived by his wife Janet, his father Mícheál, a former Principal of St. Aloysius College, Athlone, his mother Maura and his brothers Eoin and Ronan.