Former attorney general in GUBU case passes away

Ireland’s former attorney general Patrick Connolly, who was embroiled in the scandal surrounding the arrest of murderer Malcolm MacArthur, has passed away at his home in Dalkey.

The formidable barrister served as attorney general between March-August 1982, resigning after Mr MacArthur was arrested on suspicion of double murder inside Mr Connolly’s own home.

The circumstances surrounding Mr MacArthur’s arrest sparked a media storm which forced Mr Connolly’s resignation and saw the term “GUBU” (“grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented”) enter the Irish political sphere.

Mr Connolly returned to the bar after his brief stint in the attorney general’s office.

The King’s Inns tweeted: “We mourn the passing of our Senior Bencher, Mr Paddy Connolly SC.”

Mr Connolly will be reposing from 5pm-7pm today in Quinn’s of Glasthule Funeral Home, Dublin.

He will be removed tomorrow to the Church of the Assumption, Dalkey, for funeral mass starting at 10am followed by burial in Deans Grange Cemetery.

The family have asked for no flowers and for donations, if desired, to the Blackrock Hospice.

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