Death of well-known and popular solicitor Bernard Jordan

TRIBUTES were paid by members of the judiciary on Friday morning at Carlow Circuit Court to Bernard Jordan, who passed away on Wednesday 27 June at the age of 83.

Mr Jordan was a well-known solicitor in Co Carlow and beyond, working in his own practice AB Jordan Solicitors on College Street, Carlow for four decades. He built up his own practice there, having come to the legal profession after leaving a career in the priesthood. Over the years, he went on to train and mentor generations of solicitors, including John O’Sullivan and Joe Farrell, who both paid tribute to him on Friday morning in court.

Judge Mary Morrissey presided over the tributes paid in court, which was attended by representatives of various branches of the legal system, including solicitors, members of the bar, An Garda Síochána, the DPP’s office and the Courts Service.

Mr Jordan’s wife Kate and daughter Ruth watched the tributes via live stream, as did former district court judge Colin Daly, current district court judge Geraldine Carthy and circuit court judge James McCourt.

Judge Morrissey said that Mr Jordan was “one of life’s true gentlemen”, known for his “integrity, honesty and compassion, which are the cornerstone characters of the judicial system”. She said that he was a worthy adversary when in court, but when things were settled, the hand of friendship was always offered afterwards.

Retired judge William Early called him “a much-valued colleague” and a “dedicated and meticulous lawyer … of great integrity”.

“He sat among us on these benches for many years,” he said, adding that Bernard “loved the cut, thrust and drama of court”. Mr Early continued that he was “the kind of man who suffered fools, if not gladly, then politely” and that he was “an excellent judge of people”.

“Something vital was taken from him” with the death of his beloved daughter Sarah Kate in January 2020, he said.

Mr Early continued that, as a religious man, Mr Jordan always believed that he would be reunited with Sarah Kate one day.

Barrister John O’Connell, who also trained as a solicitor, said a few words on behalf of the Bar Council. He said that over the four decades that Mr Jordan ran his office on College Street, many local solicitors served their apprenticeship with him and that his was a “very great legacy to live up to”.

Sgt Hud Kelly paid his respects on behalf of An Garda Síochána and Superintendent Anthony Farrell, who was unable to attend. State prosecutor Brendan O’Flaherty, who worked as a solicitor in AB Jordan’s office before he set up his own practice, said that he “would miss Bernard. He was always a gentleman to deal with”, while court registrar Jennifer Young paid her respects on behalf of court staff.

Solicitor John O’Sullivan said that his former mentor was “part of a lovely old world” when the local courts such as Tullow were full of “ribaldry and fun”.

“We’ll miss him. We’ll think of him regularly and often,” he said. “If he doesn’t make it into Heaven, we’ll have to look for our money back.” Solicitor Joe Farrell said: “This is not a sad day, Bernard is at peace.” 

He said that he had, over the years, lots of fun with Bernard and that he was honoured to serve his apprenticeship with him at a time when it wasn’t easy to get a place in a solicitor’s office. He said that Bernard valued his staff and they, in turn, looked after him. They were his family, too, he said.

Mr Farrell recalled how Mr Jordan met his beloved wife Kate and that as a former priest and as a solicitor he “took great pride in divorcing some of the people he had married”. Mr Farrell concluded that his mentor and former boss was “gone but not forgotten”.

Mr Jordan, of Everton House, Old Derrig, Carlow, will be laid to rest today (Tuesday) in Killeshin cemetery following requiem Mass in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen at 2.30pm.

He is survived by his wife Kate, children Ruth and Darragh, grandchildren Patrick, Ronan and Alex, brother Tom, sister Margaret, in-laws, extended family, colleagues of AB Jordan and many friends.