The funeral of Irish High Court Judge and founder member of the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) Vivian Lavan took place at the Church of the Assumption in Booterstown on 17 August 2011.
Judge Lavan passed away on 13 August 2011 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2010. Judge Lavan's wife, Una Lavan, told mourners that her late husband's reaction to being told he had limited time left to live was "I have had a full life".
Those attending the funeral included Commandant Michael Walsh (on behalf of President Mary McAleese), Chief Justice Susan Denham, other members of the judiciary and the legal profession; FLAC Director General Noeline Blackwell, FLAC Council Member Iseult O'Malley SC, and fellow co-founders of FLAC and friends of the late judge Denis McCullough SC and former Attorney General David Byrne SC.
Judge Lavan played a key role in the establishment of FLAC while he was still a law student. Speaking on the death of Justice Vivian Lavan and on his contribution to FLAC, Noeline Blackwell said "We at FLAC are saddened by the death of Justice Lavan. As a co-founder of FLAC in 1969, he made a significant contribution to improving access to justice for thousands of people in Ireland. He continued to work for the development of Irish law throughout his legal career. Our sincere condolences go to Justice Lavan's family and close friends."
Judge Lavan is survived by his wife Una, children Myles, Viv, Naomi and Sarah, daughters-in-law Joke and Leanne, granddaughters Amelia and Jessica, his sister Ann and extended family.
Click here to listen to Judge Lavan speak about the early years of FLAC.