Former Resident Magistrate dies

Daniel (Dan) McLaughlin passed away peacefully at his home at Sandleford Court, Coleraine, last week.

One of the best advocates of his time, Mr. McLaughlin’s eloquent defence of his clients earned him much respect amongst his colleagues and the public at large.

With today’s court structures somewhat different from the 1970’s and 80’s, Mr. McLaughlin and his colleagues had less time to prepare their submissions as well as having to deal with uncompromising R.M’s such as the late J. M. Shearer and Paddy Maxwell whose strict attention to protocol kept those in front of them on their toes.

Mr. McLaughlin entered every court with a hefty list of clients to defend such was his reputation and he did so with commitment and in some style.

He and the late highly respected Jack McCann from Ballymena as well as Mr. Nixon Logue, (Ballymoney) were the key figures in courts up and down the country, but it was Mr. McLaughlin who chose a different path when he became a Resident Magistrate.

His standing amongst his judicial colleagues was enhanced by his fair but no-nonsense approach while on the bench.

Mr. McLaughlin had a keen interest in archaeology as well as the development of the town centre with special focus on the University and the Causeway Museum.

The funeral took place on Friday from St. Malachy’s Church, to Coleraine Cemetery following Requiem Mass the previous evening.

Mr. McLaughlin is survived by Catherine, Susan, Charles and Jane. His wife, Elizabeth, predeceased him.