A tribute  to the late P. Desmond (Des) O’Connor, the Coroner for County  Roscommon, who passed away earlier this month,  was paid yesterday at a sitting of the Mayo Coroners Court.

With a coronial career spanning 62 years, Mr. O’Connor, a solicitor, whose legal firm, P. Desmond O’Connor & Son, Solicitors ,is based in Ballaghadereen, was the longest serving and oldest coroner in the Republic of Ireland.

 Pat O’Connor, Coroner for the District of Mayo, acknowledged his friend and colleague’s long and distinguished service at a session of Mayo Coroner’s Court in Swinford yesterday.

 Mr. O’Connor explained such longevity of service can never be surpassed as the mandatory retirement age for coroners, as stipulated by the Coroners Act 1962, was 70 years. This was changed  to 72 years  by the Coroners Amendment Act, 2019.

 Des O’Connor was able to continue as Coroner for Roscommon beyond the age of 70 as he was appointed in 1961, a year before the 1962 Act became Law.

Pat O’Connor wished Brian O’Connor, Acting Coroner, well as he succeeds his father in the Roscommon Coronial District.