Polite but steely judge Donagh McDonagh bids farewell to circuit court

The former eminent defence counsel Donagh McDonagh, who, on behalf of the Irish Government attended the inquest in Gibraltar into the shooting dead by the SAS of three IRA members, stepped down as a judge of the Circuit Court yesterday.

His calm, professional, and polite approach to everyone who appeared before him in the civil and criminal courts masked a steely character who, as a former Army Ranger, had been a member of the country’s special forces.

While sitting with Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke at the Easter Rising centenary celebrations at the GPO less than three weeks ago, Judge McDonagh remarked that he had taken part in the march past during the 50th anniversary celebrations in 1966.