Tributes to renowned Skelmorlie lawyer and asbestos campaigner
29 September
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Local lawyer Frank Maguire fought for people exposed to asbestos and those infected by hepatitis C
Tributes have been paid to respected Skelmorlie lawyer Frank Maguire who has died at the age of 55.
The 2010 Solicitor of the year and former president of the Society of Solicitor Advocates had been battling cancer. He is survived by his wife and four sons.
A family statement, published in the Largs and Millport News, said: "Frank's wife, Fiona, and their sons, Calum, Matthew, Luke and John would very much like to thank all those who have been concerned in Frank's care, especially over recent weeks."
Maguire, the joint managing partner of Thompsons Solicitors and a specialist in industrial disease law, was renowned for his campaigning for people exposed to asbestos in the workplace, and those who have contracted hepatitis C through infected blood.
Scottish Labour leader, Iain Gray, led the tributes at Holyrood, describing Maguire as a "true champion for the underdog", reported the BBC News.
Mr Gray said: "His tireless campaigns for the victims of Hepatitis C blood contamination and former shipyard workers, their families and others affected by asbestos-related diseases will live on as a tribute to him.”
Syd Smith, who along with Mr Maguire, was Thompsons Solicitors joint managing partner, told the BBC: "His loss will be keenly felt by everyone who knew him, but particularly his colleagues at Thompsons, his fellow campaigners, politicians at Holyrood and Westminster, the legal profession and the trade union movement."
To commemorate Maguire’s life and work, Thompsons Solicitors is offering people the opportunity to donate to charities close to his heart. In Memory of Frank Maguire will help Asbestos Action groups, West of Scotland Neuro-Oncology Fund and Gulu Hospital Clinic, Uganda.
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