Tributes paid to Kilnaboy man

THE North Clare communities of Kilnaboy and Ennistymon and the Courts Service in Ennis are in shock this week following the sudden death of 49-year-old Seamus Mullane.

Seamus died at his home in Coad, Kilnaboy on Sunday evening last, having been out with friends on his regular Sunday cycle earlier that day.

His untimely death was felt around the county, as he was an active sportsman in his own locality and a highly respected member of the Courts Service staff in Ennis.

At a sitting of the Circuit Court in Ennis on Monday last, Judge Carroll Moran led tributes to the married father of four, who was the caretaker of Ennis Courthouse.

“We’re all in the most profound state of shock at Seamus’ passing. It is completely unexpected. Seamus was here four or five years and he did an excellent job as caretaker, looking after the building and looking after everyone who had any business here,” Judge Moran said.

He added that Seamus was very obliging to anyone he met and did his work in the most efficient manner.

“He was a quiet, unassuming man and it is with great sadness that we remember him today. On behalf of everyone, I would like to pass on all our condolences to his widow, Bríd and his four sad daughters,” the judge concluded.

On behalf of the Courts Service, manager Josephine Tone said, “Seamus was a wonderful person. We are all completely devastated by his loss. He was a true friend and colleague.”

Representing the Clare Law Association, solicitor John Casey, who had been cycling with Seamus on the day he died, said, “It was a privilege to say that Seamus was a friend of mine, I was with him yesterday cycling back from Kilshanny to Ennistymon. He did his job and did it well but Seamus’ interest in life was his wife, Bríd and his four daughters. In the years he was here, Seamus was a friend to all of us.

“He was a person you could go to for respite from the tedium and boredom of the court. As a person to work for, he was brilliant and he was a true friend and, personally, I will miss him very, very much,” he said.
Michael Collins, BL of the Clare Bar Association, said, “When Seamus took over from Ned Monaghan, he had a hard act to follow but he did it and did it well”.

Mr Collins said Seamus “was unfailingly courteous and helpful”. He recalled an evening where practitioners had adjourned to a local pub and found that their cars had been locked into the car park of the courthouse, with the gates locked.

“A quick phone call to Seamus, which disrupted and disturbed him from gardening or farming duties in Corofin, resulted in him coming to reunite counsel with their cars. It is just an example of his diligence and public duty as a public servant and it might be thought in this day and age that public service is not appreciated – that is far from the case.

“Those of us who have the privilege to work at this courthouse are enriched by the manner in which Seamus carried out his duties. A courteous and friendly manner, it might have been subtle and understated but it was nonetheless very effective and he will be greatly missed,” Mr Collins said.

Aisling Casey of the state solicitor’s office described Seamus “as a pure gentleman”.

“He was kind, caring and always had a smile on his face. He is sorely missed. When trials were going late in the evening, Seamus was always there to make sure we were always safe when we left in our cars,” she said.

As a mark of respect, the Public Office at Ennis Courthouse remained closed on Wednesday, while the scheduled sitting of Ennis District Court was postponed to 2.30pm.

Seamus’ funeral took place from his home on Tuesday evening to Kilnaboy Church and he was interred at Coad Cemetery, following concelebrated mass on Wednesday morning.