TRIBUTES have been paid to well-known solicitor Anthony McGettigan who was remembered for his ‘commitment to his profession’ and his sense of ‘great humour’.
Mr McGettigan passed away peacefully at Brooklands Nursing Home in Dunmurray in Belfast on Wednesday [June 19].
Born in Belfast, Mr McGettigan grew up in humble origins. He stayed true to his roots and always admired how his parents provided and cared for his family.
Mr McGettigan got a scholarship to St Malachy’s College in Belfast where he studied until he was 14-years-old. He left school to support his parents and his extended family.
He worked in a number of different jobs in Belfast, before qualifying as a solicitor in his mid-30s.
Mr McGettigan took on the role of solicitor at PJ Flanagan and Co in Enniskillen in June 1975. He was the principal of the company until his retirement in June 2023.
He was also a long-standing member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, where he previously served as president.
Darren Toombs, the President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, paid tribute to Mr McGettigan.
“Tony [McGettigan] was well respected amongst his colleagues as a man of great humour, compassion and commitment to his profession serving as President of the Law Society in 1993.
He will be remembered fondly and missed by many. The Society offers its deepest condolences to his wife Anne, his son Chris and family as well as his colleagues and friends in P J Flanagan and Co.”
In his professional and personal life, Mr McGettigan stood up for many people. He was a well-known trade unionist and a civil rights campaigner where he did everything to help people in their ‘hour of need’.
Family was central in Mr McGettigan’s life. He enjoyed a long marriage with his wife Anne who was his ‘soulmate’ and they enjoyed spending time with their son Christopher.
He is survived by his wife Anne and his son Christopher (Sharon).
Following his Requiem Mass at St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast, he was interred in Milltown Cemetery.
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