Funeral to take place of former Circuit judge

The funeral will take place tomorrow (Wednesday), March 27, of the late former Cavan Circuit Court Judge John O'Hagan.

Judge O'Hagan died peacefully at at his home at Donacarney Little, Co Meath, on March 23.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Sarah (née Counahan), daughter Clodagh and her partner Finbarr; son Mark and fiancée Sinéad; daughter Terry, her husband Philip and their children Ciara and PJ; sisters Adelaide and Catherine; brother Conor; relatives, and many friends.

Judge O'Hagan was first appointed to serve on the Northern Circuit courts, which includes Cavan and Monaghan, in 2006, before retiring in 2017 after 47 years in the legal profession.

He also previously served as a judge at the Special Criminal Court from 1999, and as an unassigned judge across the country up until 2006.

Born 1947, the third son of the late Judge Desmond O’Hagan, a member of the District Court bench, Judge O'Hagan was educated at the Boher National School, Cooley, Co Louth; Clongowes Wood College, UCD and the Kings Inn. He was called to the Inner Bar in 1996, and elevated again in 1998 when appointed judge.

His grandfather P.J. O’Hagan started the solicitors’ firm of Donal O’Hagan and Co in Dundalk, which continues today.

A keen biker, sailor, golfer, choir member and fisherman, Judge O'Hagan also rose to the rank of Commandant attached to the FCA 2nd Fd MPC, joining the ‘D’ Coy 20th Batt (An Phiarsaigh) attached to Griffith Barracks in 1963. He was commissioned into that unit in 1972 and served until 1977 when transferred to the 2nd Field Military Police serving in Collins and Clancy Barracks.

In 2015 he was appointed the temporary Military Judge and presided over a number of Courts-Martial before the appointment of Col Michael Campion.

Funeral Mass takes place at 11am on Wednesday at Star of the Sea Church, Mornington, followed by cremation.

Mass can be live on https://www.youtube.com/user/Finnegandvd