WARM tributes have been paid to a former Donegal Circuit Court Judge, whose funeral was held yesterday.
Judge John O’Hagan was appointed a Judge of the Circuit Court in 1998, and in 2006 he was appointed as the Circuit Judge for the Northern Circuit, covering counties Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.
He served as a Judge for 10 years in Donegal, and he was also appointed as a Judge on the Special Criminal Court from 1999.
Upon his retirement in 2017, Judge O’Hagan was remembered fondly by many in the legal system in Donegal for his “common sense and fairness as well as his compassion for those who came before him in the courts.”
He passed away peacefully at his home in Donacarney Little, County Meath on Saturday.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sarah, his daughter Clodagh and her partner Finbarr, his son Mark and fiancée Sinéad, his daughter Terry, her husband Philip and their beautiful children Ciara and PJ.
He is also survived by his sisters Adelaide and Catherine, brother Conor, relatives and his many close friends, bikers, choir members and neighbours.
Outside of the courtroom, Judge O’Hagan enjoyed playing golf and fishing.
He was also a keen biker and sailor.
Speaking at the outset of Monday’s Letterkenny District Court, solicitor Kieran O’Gorman paid tribute to Judge O’Hagan on behalf of all local practitioners.
Mr O’Gorman described Judge O’Hagan as “very well gifted”, and spoke of how much he had “loved his time in Donegal”.
Judge O’Hagan was remembered for his many varied attributes, including “his ability to be fair as well as serious”.
Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle extended his condolences on behalf of An Garda Siochána.
Geoffrey McMonagle, of the Courts Service, said he was saddened to learn of Judge O’Hagan’s passing.
“Even after his retirement he stayed in contact with staff here, and when he was in the area he would always call in for a coffee.”
Judge Ciaran Liddy also extended his sympathies to Judge O’Hagan’s family.
Judge O’Hagan’s funeral Mass took place yesterday in Star of the Sea Church Mornington in Meath, followed by cremation.
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