Desmond O'Hagan was a well-known figure in Irish legal and racing circles. His long career and life spanned every aspect of both. Born on July 13th, 1909 at Hill Street, Newry, to the late P.J. O' Hagan, solicitor, and his wife Adelaide (nee Grew), he was the eldest son in a family of six children. He was educated at St Colman's College, Newry, at UCD, and at the Incorporated Law Society. He qualified as a solicitor in 1930 and began to practise in West Street, Drogheda. In 1935 he married Eyleen Gaynor, daughter of the late John Gaynor, a well known solicitor and coroner for Westmeath. In the same year he returned to the family practice at the Courthouse Square, Dundalk when his late father was appointed county registrar and sheriff for Louth, a position to which he succeeded upon his father's death in 1942. During his short stay in Drogheda he was politically active and was elected an alderman on Drogheda Corporation on the de Valera ticket.
In 1959 he was appointed a district court judge and initially sat in the Children's Court and the Dublin Metropolitan District. In 1969 he was appointed as judge of the Meath District Court (No. 10) area. In 1973 he was appointed as a member of the Special Criminal Court. Among the many major trials before him were those following the slaying of Senator Billy Fox and the kidnapping of Dr Tiede Herrema. He retired in 1979.
The legal tradition lives on in his son John D., who was a member of the Inner Bar and was appointed a circuit court judge in 1998, and his granddaughter Clodagh, who is currently studying to be a solicitor and is apprenticed to the family firm in Dundalk.
Desmond O'Hagan was a keen sportsman, with a great love of sailing, golf and racing. He was a member of the National Hunt Committee and was elected as a steward of the Turf Club in 1982. He loved his racing and stewarded at many racecourses throughout the country. He was a well-known amateur jockey in his day and rode many winners. He was particularly proud to have been the winner of both the Louth and Meath Hunt Cups 1939/40 and the Sweet Afton Cup in 1938.
He also had success as an owner and trainer. This was especially so with his mare Little Trix, which in 1951 won the Prince of Wales Plate and the Conyngham Cup, and later with Highland Trout, which won the Punchestown Cup and the La Touche Memorial Plate in 1955. He was also highly involved with the racecourses at Dundalk, Bellewstown, Fairyhouse and Laytown. He was a former master of the Dundalk Harriers. His son Conor reflects his great love of horses and racing as a stud manager at Collinstown Stud, Leixlip.
His other sporting activities included sailing and golf. He was an ex-captain of both Dundalk and Greenore Golf Clubs.
He also had a brief Army experience when he served as the Louth area quartermaster officer with the LDF during the Emergency.
He is survived by his four children, Adelaide, Catherine, Conor, and John; his brother Donal, and sisters Maureen and Sheelah (Sister Peter Claver MMM); and his seven grandchildren. His wife Eyleen predeceased him in 1993, as did his son Peter in 1950.
May he rest in peace.