Aonghus Cheevers: 1976-2020

The staff and students of the School of Law and Government extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleague Dr Aonghus Cheevers, who sadly passed away earlier this week.

Aonghus joined the school in September 2019 as Assistant Professor in Private Law and during a relatively short time with us he immersed himself in the life of the School and was very well-liked and respected by both his colleagues and his students.

Aonghus was modest and unassuming, with a very positive outlook on life. He went about his work with professionalism and diligence. He was an excellent scholar, whose work on mediation and alternative dispute resolution was grounded in his deep sense of justice and his interest in the effects of the law and legal processes on real people. Aonghus seamlessly became an important member of our law staff group. With his colleagues Aonghus was unfailingly good-humoured, kind, and generous with both his time and his experience. We will remember fondly times spent together both professionally and socially, while we regret that we cannot have more of the same.

As a lecturer, Aonghus was brilliant. He had a great ability to make difficult legal problems appear simple and, at the same time, to show how things that at first appear simple are actually quite a bit more complex. He also brought his unique sense of humour to the lecture hall and his students appreciated this. In recent days Aonghus’ students from DCU have been sharing their thoughts and condolences online. One student wrote that “He was a cheerful, passionate lecturer who always made his class smile.” Another said that “Aonghus was a true gentleman who left an everlasting impression on all his students. With a great sense of humour, he never failed to make us laugh.” Another said that “Aonghus brought so much happiness to our college lives.” These are wonderful tributes to a much-loved lecturer.

Along with his wife, of whom he often spoke, his family and his friends, Aonghus will be greatly missed by both his students and his colleagues at DCU.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal.