Dr Edward CahillEEdward Cahill, who died on November 28th, was the first professor of accounting in University College Cork.
He served two terms as dean of the faculty of commerce and developed his own department into the largest academic department in the university. His book, Corporate Financial Crisis in Ireland, published in 1997, is recognised as an invaluable resource by practitioners and as an essential text for those studying commercial failure.
Despite the demands of his position in the university, Cahill also made time, when invited, to act as chairman of the European Regional Development Fund Operational Programme for Shannon.
His commitment was vital to the completion of many headline tourism projects, including the restoration of the Rosse telescope at Birr Castle and the links golf course at Doonbeg.
He brought particular expertise in financial analysis and investment to his role as an active member of the college investment committee and as long term-adviser to the Construction Industry Federation pension funds.
He was born in 1940 in Lahinch, Co Clare, where he had his early schooling. After the family moved to Dublin, he boarded at Clongowes. Despite being a school prefect and an academic prizewinner, he took most pleasure in representing his school on the senior cup rugby team.
He played senior rugby for Monkstown firsts and for Bective. He retained his love of rugby throughout his life, played competitive tennis and in later life became a keen golfer.
Cahill started his working life as a chartered accountant, in both the private and public sectors. At the same time he was lecturing part-time to accountancy students and pursuing his own research interests. His developing focus on the academic side of his life brought him first place in the Jacobs Management Award and led him on to Trinity College to gain his MLitt and PhD.
In 1988 he was appointed professor of accountancy in UCC. Generations of business students came to respect his integrity, clarity of thought and willingness to help the weaker students.
Among his many gifts was an ability to demystify the most complex aspects of tax and corporation law and to explain every detail in plain language. Because of this ability he was much in demand as a specialist journalist and as a television pundit. In this role his willingness to speak without fear or favour gained him the respect of all.
Even during his final illness, he maintained his research activities. His final paper is due to be published posthumously in the Journal of Banking Regulation.
He brought an enthusiasm to every aspect of his life, including his love of music and interest in travel. He had great plans for his imminent retirement, which he hoped to spend in the house bought recently in west Cork. He was generous with his time and wise in his counsel. A constant source of humour, he was a bulwark of support to his family and countless friends. He was man of dignity, courage and honesty, never more so than in his final illness.
He is survived by his wife Angela (Caffrey), whom he married in 1969; their son Peter and daughters Helen, Joan and Susan.
Edward Cahill: born 1940; died November 28th, 2005