George Vincent (G.V.) Maloney

Mr George Vincent (G.V.) Maloney, Drumelis, Cavan THE legal establishment principally in Cavan and Monaghan but also throughout the country were in mourning at the death of G. V. Maloney, Drumelis on Monday of last week, following a long illness. He was head of one of the oldest family practices in County Cavan going back to 1915, when it was founded in Cootehill. His early education was formed in Farnham National School and St Patrick's College, Cavan and later Rockwell College. He attributed his strong work ethic due to the structural environment in Rockwell. It was there that in addition to the normal curriculum he did courses in woodwork and art, two hobbies that he pursued through the remainder of his life. He was also a frequent attender at adult education courses in Cavan VEC, which expanded into making pottery, oil and watercolour painting. Although aged 80 he was active in the firm up to some six months ago but suffered from an illness from which there was no hope of recovery. Through the influence of his father, G.V., who was also a solicitor, it was not surprising that George should follow in his footsteps. Much of the credit for the expansion of the firm came after Mr Maloney qualified as a solicitor in 1955 and joined his father in the practice. Young and enthusiastic and with his briefs meticulously researched and prepared he was responsible for the development of the branch office system and equally, when the population became more mobile, of the centralisation of the firm's business. At one time he had offices in various parts of the county including Ballyconnell and Arva. Son of the late G. V. and Eileen Maloney a remarkable three generations of the family have been engaged in the legal profession. Mr Maloney's daughter, Jacqueline, who qualified in 1979, and is managing partner, had been running the firm during her father's lengthy illness. Mr Maloney, who had an extensive practice, was a law agent for Cavan County Council and the firm also acts as solicitors for several of the fishery boards and other public and private firms. He was a strong, tough advocate in the courts and was held in high esteem by his colleagues in the legal profession. He gave many solicitors in Cavan and others now in practice in other parts of the country their start in the legal world. Many of his apprentices and others who worked with him over the years went on to set up their own successful practices. There are many barristers and present day judges to whom he gave briefs when they were developing their practices. Mr Maloney had many interests, aside from his busy legal schedule, including a long career in the FCA where he held the rank of Lieutenant up to his retirement. He was a top marksman and won many competitions on the shooting range. He was also a member of the Regional Game Council. Like his parents he was a keen fisherman and was a member of Cavan Anglers Club, Co. Cavan Trout Anglers Association as well as Lough Sheelin Trout Anglers. Fly fishing on Lough Sheelin was one of his great pleasures. He represented Ireland in fly fishing on many occasions with his good friends, Sean Young, Norman Cinnamond, Mickey Walsh and Jim McNally. He spent two weeks every year salmon fishing at Lagduff and on the Erriff River. He went there with a regular band that included the Youngs, Jim McNally, Mickey Walsh, Ray McDwyer and Dr John Monaghan, to name but a few. Outdoor pursuits played a major part in his recreational activities, among them scuba diving. In later years he took up skiing where one of his last trips was to Austria in January 2011. Hill walking, horse riding and mountain climbing were also included in his many recreational activities. His mountaineering exploits took him to many parts of the world. Among his accomplishments and his first major climb was to the summit of Kilimanjaro in 2001 at the age of 70, which is 5,895m (approx 19,000 feet), followed by diving in Zanzibar and on safari in Tanzania. In 2002 it was the five highest peaks in Northern Ireland, The Republic, England, Scotland and Wales. In 2003 it was the Everest Tea Trek in Nepal followed by diving in Thailand. In 2004 the Slovenian Alps followed by diving in Gozo; in 2005 it was the Mont Bland Mountain range. In 2006, his favourite at the age of 75 -Everest Base Camp followed by diving in the Maldives; in 2007 Machu Picchu in Peru; in 2008 St Wolfgang in Austria and in 2009 Mount Errigal in Donegal. On all these adventures he was accompanied by his long-standing walking partner, Anne Carroll. Before his illness he had arranged to visit The Antarctica for five weeks. He was also a rugby enthusiast and was a playing member of Co Cavan Rugby club in the '40s. He enjoyed hang gliding and was one of the earliest exponents of the sport in Ireland. When he received his pilot's license he undertook trips to Jersey, France, Madrid to name but a few. Over 20 years ago he took up helicopter flying which he enjoyed as a pilot himself until last Christmas. He was owner of a helicopter and was a qualified pilot. He was fortunate to escape some years ago when his helicopter crashed on Cuilcagh mountain top in Ballyconnell. Other pursuits Car rallying was another of his hobbies and was a one-time co-founder and member of Co Cavan Motor club. He was a member of the Cathedral Choir in Cavan in the '60s when the late Fr A. B. McGrath was musical director and had a fine tenor voice. In 1978 when Cavan International Song Contest came into being and which lasted 21 years, George was an enthusiastic supporter of his wife Maire who was a co-founder of the contest, along with Anne Lennon. The funeral took place on Wednesday of last week from the Cathedral of Ss Patrick and Felim to St Patrick's cemetery, Drumcor. There was concelebrated mass in the cathedral in which Fr Patsy Young was chief celebrant. Among the con-celebrants were Bishop Leo O'Reilly and Fr Kevin Donohoe, Adm. Also officiating at the funeral liturgy was Bishop Ken Clarke, Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore who read the gospel and Archdeacon George Miller who gave the second reading. Fr Patsy Young, a close friend, said in his homily that George Maloney was a very special person. His most striking characteristic was his commitment. He was wholly committed to everything he did-to his wife and family, to his legal profession, to his friends, to his recreational activities (and those were many). He was an activist in the best sense of that word -always active in work and play, never a dull moment, not enough hours in the day and sadly, left too short to do all the things he wanted to do. "He deserves a rest." Fr Young said one verse of a song from a Broadway musical "the Impossible Dream" later recorded by Andy Williams could have been written about George. "To dream the impossible dream; to fight the unbeatable foe; to bear with unbearable sorrow; to run where the brave dare not go." Mr Maloney was laid to rest in St Patrick's cemetery, Drumcor, beside his daughter, Finola. At the funeral there was a Guard of Honour by staff of Maloney's firm of solicitors in Farnham Street. Amongst the large attendance were District Justices, Sean MacBride and Cormac Dunne and retired Judge Tom Fitzpatrick. He is survived by his wife Maire, son, Paddy and daughter, Mrs Jacqueline Maloney-Derham; brothers, Willie, Limerick; Tom, Cork and Stephen, London and his sisters, Dympna, Galway and Beatrice, Cavan. He was predeceased by his daughter, Finola and his sister Dan (Eileen).