Tributes to lawyer who was ‘a real gentleman’

Tributes to lawyer who was ‘a real gentleman’

15 January 2020

TRIBUTES have been paid to a lawyer who died last week.

Mr Paul McAlinden, who was a barrister, died peacefully in Belfast City Hospital last Wednesday. He had celebrated his 60th birthday on Boxing Day. 

At Downpatrick Court last Thursday, District Judge Amanda Brady led the tributes to Mr McAlinden.

She described him as “a real gentleman who earnestly tried to do his best for his clients”.

She said Mr McAlinden was always very pleasant and that she had never heard him complain.

“I was always impressed by his dignity and the courage he displayed during the last several months as he battled through his illness,” she remarked.

“Judge Brady said Mr McAlinden’s motivation was his family and that he was devoted to his wife, Fiona, and daughter Eileen.

She added: “Even though we knew he was sick, the news of his passing still comes as a shock. I’m still in disbelief and half expecting him to walk in to the court room.”

Mr McAlinden worked closely with Downpatrick solicitor Joe Mullholland for many years.

Mr Mulholland, who was visibly emotional, said he had lost a dear friend and colleague. 

Mr Mulholland’s practice colleague, Mr Chris Logue, described Mr McAlinden as being “part of the furniture” at the firm and said he will be “sorely missed” as his team were “heavily reliant upon him”.

A prosecution lawyer described Mr McAlinden as an “absolute gentleman” and remarked: “Although we had many heated exchanges I never heard Paul raise his voice. He was very much a family man. We could all see how ill he was, but the news of his passing still comes as a shock.”

Mr McAlinden was buried on Saturday following Requiem Mass in The Good Shepherd Church, Ormeau Road, Belfast.