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Court reporter Aodhan O Faolain has died

Respected court reporter Aodhan O Faolain has passed away aged 50 after a short illness, on 9 May.

He reported on superior courts matters for national news organisations, specialising in the Chancery Court and the High Court’s bankruptcy list.

Paying tribute, Attorney General Rossa Fanning said that the reporter was a “scrupulously fair court journalist” who would be remembered for his professionalism and integrity and would be sadly missed by judges and barristers.

O Faolain formerly worked for the Clonmel Nationalist and spent almost two years teaching in a top secondary school in Japan.

Very much missed

National Union of Journalists President Gerry Curran, who is also media relations adviser to the Courts Service, said that he explained the legal process in an accessible and straightforward way, and would be very much missed as a reporter, friend, and supporter of his trade union.

The Galway native grew up in Athlone and lived in Dublin and was a keen follower of rugby and soccer, in particular Connacht RFC and Athlone Town FC.

He is survived by his wife Janet, parents Mícheál and Maura, brothers Eoin and Ronan, nieces and nephews, and many colleagues and friends in the journalistic and legal worlds.

Veteran court reporter and colleague, Ray Managh, who worked closely with O Faolain, said he was "trusted and admired for his professionalism and work ethic, his ever-present chirpy smile and his most casual of dress codes".

Managh added that his late fellow reporter was an "outstanding person" with great integrity who fought for the right to be in court to expose the plight of young people whose cases could be subject to reporting restrictions.