Judge Donal McArdle died in his chambers at Belturbet courthouse on November 10th, as he was about to preside at the monthly sitting. He was 61.
He was proposed as a judge by his old college friend, Progressive Democrat founder Dessie O'Malley. His common sense and good humour particularly suited the District Court and he had the ability to recognise the "chancers" and the genuine people. He was called to the Bench in 1979 and sat in Dublin District Court for a short time before being appointed to the Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim area.
He grew up in Dundalk, the youngest son of Elizabeth (nee Smith) and Philip, who was a prominent auctioneer and publican in the town. The young Donal McArdle worked in the family business while he was studying law. He had a mildly eccentric sense of humour and loved to imitate the local characters in the town, say childhood friends.
Two sisters and two brothers predeceased him - Agnes who died in infancy, Marie who died aged 20, Anthony who died in 1986 and the Rev Philip McArdle SM, who died in 1987. His first wife Bernadette (nee Lavelle) also died at an early age leaving him to rear their two daughters.
He was educated at the CBS in Dundalk, Castleknock College and UCD. When he qualified as a solicitor, he joined the practice of the late Hugh McGahon whom he admired and some say resembled in his subsequent career.
He was a keen mountain walker and swam regularly at Rampark near Dundalk. He went to Mass every day. The weekly sitting of Dundalk District Court was adjourned on Wednesday November 10th by Judge Flann Brennan, who paid tribute to his colleague the following morning at Dunleer Court. Flags were flown at halfmast in Dundalk on the day of his funeral.
Judge McArdle was blessed with the finest personal qualities. Good-humoured, compassionate, generous and with a thorough knowledge of the law, he was a gentleman to his fingertips.
He is survived by his wife Caroline (nee Moane), daughters Elizabeth and Bernadette, his brother Gerard and sister Bernadette Kavanagh.
Judge Donal McArdle: born 1938, died November, 1999