Vincent Landy, who died on January 7th, aged 82, was a man with an unquenchable love of life. This was apparent in his commitment to his work as senior counsel, his many varied interests and above all, his devotion to his family.
He was a remarkably clever, gregarious and sociable man with a hint of mischievousness.
After some years in the Civil Service, he was called to the Bar in 1947 having been a Brooke scholar at King's Inns, the highest award a law student can achieve. Later, in 1972 when he studied for a Diploma in European Law, he won first place.
He took silk in 1969 and was called to the Bar in England and Northern Ireland in 1975 and 1976. He was an able and successful barrister with a practice spread over chancery, commercial and criminal cases.
His opinions in the matter of conveyancing were highly valued and sought after by solicitors all over the State.
His great interest and the love of his life was his family - his wife, Marie, and their four children. Born in Skerries, Co Dublin, he was the second child of Vincent Landy and Agnes (nee Branagan). He was educated at Belvedere College, Dublin, and Trinity College Dublin. His loyalty to Skerries never abated. A keen golfer, he was involved with the golf club there. Even in his last years, after he was invalided by a stroke, he returned to Skerries often and spent time with old friends.
He was an enthusiastic rugby follower and always went to the international games with the Skerries club. Sailing and beagling were also keen interests and he kept them up until his later years. He also worked right up to the time of his stroke.
A music lover, he was devoted to both opera and Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. He had a great repertoire of operatic arias which he delivered with a powerful voice. Also involved in choral singing, he was one of the leading men in the Bar Choir when it started.
In his professional life, he was kept busy. He was appointed to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in 1979 and was its chairman in 1980. Since 1968, he had been a member of the Landlord and Tenant Commission.
Chairman of the Legal Aid Board from October 1980 to December 1982, he was appointed again in April 1990. A man of great common sense, he had an appreciation of the misfortunes of people who were not favoured in life.
He is survived by his wife, Marie and their four children: Jane, Vincent Edwin, Gervaise and Victoria.
Vincent Andrew Landy: born 1917; died January, 2000