Judge Desmond O'Hagan, who has died aged 92, was a retired judge of the District Court and was well known in Irish legal and racing circles.
Born in Newry in 1909, he qualified as a solicitor in 1930 and commenced practice in West Street, Drogheda. In 1935, he returned to the family practice at the Courthouse Square, Dundalk, when his father was appointed county registrar and sheriff for Co Louth, a position to which he later succeeded. He was elected an alderman on Drogheda Corporation.
In 1959, he was appointed a District Court judge and sat in the Children's Court and the Dublin Metropolitan District. Ten years later, he became judge of the Meath District Court. In 1973, he was appointed to the Special Criminal Court. He retired in 1979.
He is survived by his four children, Conor, John, Adelaide and Catherine. He was married to the late Eyleen.