THE death occurred recently of Matthew M. Purcell, Ard Mor, Naas. Born in 1902 at The Commons, Ballingarry, Co Tipperary, Mr Purcell was the third son of the late Daniel J. Purcell and Margaret Purcell (nee Heaphy).
A solicitor by profession he practised privately in Naas before becoming Ireland's first county solicitor when he took up an appointment with Cork County Council. In 1949 Mr Purcell became Dublin County Council's first county solicitor. He remained there until retirement age in 1968. He then joined the firm of Brown and McCann, Solicitors, Naas, where he practised law for a further 14 years.
In his student days he won the coveted Findlater Scholarship and the Law Society's silver medal in his final examinations. He obtained an MA degree and an honours LLB degree from London University. Following qualification he lectured at the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland in the law of torts.
During his career he was involved in major projects like the Youghal Bridge, the Naas Road Dual Carriageway scheme and the Naas By Pass Motorway scheme. Like his father before him Mr Purcell had a countrywide reputation as an authority on local government administration and law. With Law Society sponsorship he published a book let on the local government Planning and Development Act, 1963, which was well received by the legal profession.
In his youth Mr Purcell was a capable tennis player and an avid sports fan. He was a frequent visitor to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. He greatly admired the late Billy Morton for his efforts on behalf of athletics. With his nephews Dan and Billy Purcell he attended Santry when the great Herb Elliott broke the world record for a mile. His sporting interests extended to Gaelic football, hurling, handball and horse racing.
A spiritual man he was a familiar figure making his way down to Our Lady and St David's Church, Naas, for daily Mass and Holy Communion. Mr Purcell was predeceased by his brothers Doctors Paddy, Joe, Michael and William and his sisters Doctors Catherine and Margaret.
Mr Purcell is survived by Dr Billy (nephew) and Carmel Purcell and their family William, Elizabeth, Matthew and Joseph (Naas), Dr Dan (nephew) and Joan Purcell and their sons William and Daniel (Ferns), Eileen Purcell (sister in law), his nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great grandnephews, great grandnieces and his cousins in Australia and New Zealand.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.