Sam Shaw remembered as a most colourful character

May 1993

TRIBUTES were paid this week to the late Mr. Samuel James Shaw, a retired Judge of the District Court, who died on Monday.

Mr. Shaw, who was aged 82 years and lived at Monasterboice, died in St. Clare’s Nursing Home, Stamullen. He had been in failing health for the past couple of years.

A colourful and flamboyant personality, he was held in affection and respect by his solicitor colleagues, and by his clients, during his many years working in the courts in this area. His skills of advocacy were much admired.

Later, when appointed a District Justice, he served with similar distinction on the Bench for many years, retiring about 12 years ago.

His great friend and colleague, former District Justice Desmond O’Hagan, who knew him for the past 50 years, was saddened this week by the news of his death.

He recalled the era when Sam Shaw came down from Castleblayney to work in the practice of McKeever and Sons in Drogheda and his years working throughout the courts of this area before his appointment as District Justice.

‘He was a very fine solicitor and a first class Judge’ he recalls.

State solicitor, Gerald Daly, said that the late District Justice, who was a fellow countyman of his, was a colourful and charismatic character, and would be sadly missed.

Mr. Shaw lived for a time at Greenhills, He is survived by his pharmacist wife, Violet, his son, Godfrey, a financier in the city, and his daughters, Susan, a consultant in Macclesfield Hospital, England and Jennifer, a solicitor, practising in London.