Mr. Barry Finlay

MR. Barry Finlay, who has died, was the senior partner of James Murland & Co., Solicitors, and a highly respected member of the legal profession.

Mr. Finlay, who was 59, passed away suddenly at his home near Saintfield on Sunday, August 31. He was a man of the highest integrity whose professionalism was matched by his unstinting loyalty and friendship.

If his death came as a terrible shock, there was no surprise at the size of the attendance of the funeral service last Friday in First Saintfield Presbyterian Church, which was filled to capacity. Among the mourners were colleagues, fellow lawyers, members of the various clubs and organisations of which he played a significant part and his many friends.

The younger son of Stanley and Rita Finlay, Mr. Finlay spent the first eleven years of his life in Belfast until the family moved to the County Down countryside between Saintfield and Carryduff, close to where his mother was reared.

He went to Annadale Grammar School and then studied law at Queen’s University, Belfast, graduating in 1977. He underwent his professional training as a solicitor at the then new Institute of Professional Legal Studies and after a year’s study to attain his Certificate in Professional Legal Studies he was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors.

He joined James Murland & Co. in Downpatrick and came under the influence of Mr. George Wheeler and the firm’s long-standing senior partner, Mr. Jack McRobert, both of whom he held in the highest regard.

He became a partner in the practice in 1983 and was a driving force in its development in the years that followed to the extend that it became one of the biggest legal practices in County Down.

This was the result of Mr. Finlay’s legal skills, his sound business judgement and his appetite for hard work. He became the senior partner in 1998 following Mr. McRobert’s death and continued to oversee the firm’s development, while also encouraging and nurturing his younger colleagues.

He was a member of the Northern Ireland Medico-Legal Society and served for over 12 years as one of Her Majesty’s Coroners. He was a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, was appointed a Notary Public in 1986 and was enrolled as a solicitor in the Republic of Ireland in 1997 and later in England and Wales in 2009.

In 2001 he was co-opted to the Council of the Law Society of Ireland and became president in 2008. During his year in office he represented his profession at home and abroad and did much to enhance the standing of Northern Ireland solicitors around the world.

Away from work, Mr. Finlay had many interests. He avid follower of rugby, supporting Ballynahinch and Ulster with equal relish. He enjoyed boating and had recently rejoined Quoile Yacht Club where he was looking forward to spending more time on the water.

He was a great traveller and would plan his journeys with meticulous attention. He was an enthusiastic member of Masonic Lodge No. 35, Saintfield.

Mr. Finlay had a strong religious faith, which he wore lightly. He had a close association with First Saintfield Presbyterian Church and also with St. Andrew’s Church, Killaney Parish, of which he was a church warden.

Friday’s funeral service was conducted by Canon Stephen Lowry, rector of St. Andrew’s. A tribute was delivered by Mr. Alan Reid, a partner at James Murland & Co., who said it was a privilege to have been counted as one of Mr. Finlay’s many friends.

“Whatever someone’s background, religion, political opinion, profession or trade, whatever their age of station in life, Barry regarded all to be equally deserving of his friendship and of his time and interest,” Mr. Reid remarked.

“His clients had the benefit of his sound advice, his knowledge and application of the law.

"But more than that they knew they were dealing with a man who cared about them and was interested in them.”

Following the service, Mr. Finlay was interred in First Saintfield Churchyard.

Sympathy is extended to his brother, Paul, sister-in-law Jeanne, nephews Richard, Christopher and Michael, niece Joanne and the family circle.