Solicitor John Devane R.I.P.

Comhrá

Just saw this on the Limerick Leader website a few minutes ago.


http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/249871/shock-at-death-of-prominent-limerick-solicitor-john-devane.html

Myself and the family were only talking about him last night. I mentioned that he hadn't been well lately. Bit of a shocker reading that today. RIP.

Wise Old Elf

I was chatting briefly to him just last week. He had been sick and didn't look great for the last while but I thought he was in good form.
Very sad, may he RIP.

Exeggcute

From what I hear he was a very nice guy.

topper75

Of all the people I ever met, John was easily the greatest defier of expectations.

A pleasant, mannerly, knowledgeable gent with no ego about him. Shame the politics route didn't open up for him.

I still can't square the guy I met with the character conveyed in newspapers over the years.

ongarboy

I remember reading his book "Nobody Heard Me Cry" years ago. It was a shocking read of a despicable Limerick underworld of child abuse that made Angela's Ashes look like Mary Poppins. He was a brave man to come forward about it. I'm not that familiar about him in recent years but just reading of his passing, I see he represented some notorious criminals that would not endear him to many in mainstream society. May he rest in peace.

Palcare

I knew John all his life and the book was a total work of fiction! I used to tell him that he got his young life (which was a normal happy life without great wealth but with a lot of love and normal family issues of its time) mixed up with some of the stories he helped and defended!Amazing what one can imagine in certain situations---he had a wonderful family and an amazing mother who was so bright and clever. A widow who instilled a love of reading, study and interest in her family---a hardworking woman. John was naive and immature but his core was decent and kind---- his own worst enemy for always opening the mouth and putting the feet right in--- needed a bit of mouth management but just wouldn't take any good advice. Brain too big and maturity too small! Rest in peace John--- you will be missed by many.

elperello

RIP

De mortuis nil nisi bonum.

washman3

Palcare wrote: »

I knew John all his life and the book was a total work of fiction! I used to tell him that he got his young life (which was a normal happy life without great wealth but with a lot of love and normal family issues of its time) mixed up with some of the stories he helped and defended!Amazing what one can imagine in certain situations---he had a wonderful family and an amazing mother who was so bright and clever. A widow who instilled a love of reading, study and interest in her family---a hardworking woman. John was naive and immature but his core was decent and kind---- his own worst enemy for always opening the mouth and putting the feet right in--- needed a bit of mouth management but just wouldn't take any good advice. Brain too big and maturity too small! Rest in peace John--- you will be missed by many.

Well done for clearing that one up. Lots of people had been totally fooled by it.

Palcare

Thanks Washman---- it was a sad time in lives of those close to John when that rubbish was published---- luckily his Mam never saw it --- it would have broken her heart after all she did for her family on her own and in hard times--- recognising that many many families in those times had little money but did have love and ambition for their children---- the backbone of what's standing tall today. It would have been too costly in time, emotion and finances to have gone public about that dross at the time---- just best forgotten. requiescat In pace John.

Exeggcute

Limerick's very own saul Goodman

riverrocked

Palcare wrote: »

I knew John all his life and the book was a total work of fiction!

Unless you actually lived his life you can't possibly know that. There are a lot of families out there that look like model citizens but as the saying goes "street angels - house devils".

Now I am saying this as someone who doesn't know anything about the back story here but think it is a weird thing to comment on after so soon after someone's death.

Stab*City

RIP John, a very nice man with a forgiving heart.

Palcare

riverrocked wrote: »

Unless you actually lived his life you can't possibly know that. There are a lot of families out there that look like model citizens but as the saying goes "street angels - house devils".

Now I am saying this as someone who doesn't know anything about the back story here but think it is a weird thing to comment on after so soon after someone's death.

As I wrote I have known John all his life ( take from that what you will) and let me reassure you he was not raised in a home of " street angels--- house devils" . There is no " back story" just correcting some fiction as written. The matter was raised elsewhere in this thread and the right of reply ensued.