Thérèse Broy at the 2010 BIALL Conference, Brighton

Thérèse Broy, a longstanding member of BIALL and former secretary of the Association, passed away peacefully in Dublin on 15 March 2024, following a long and brave battle with illness.

Thérèse's career in law librarianship began in King's Inns in Dublin. This followed a degree in history and politics and an MA in international relations, both from University College Dublin. She then joined King's Inns as a graduate trainee. Following qualification, she was appointed assistant librarian, working alongside Jonathan Armstrong, the King's Inns librarian at that time. In 1996, she joined the law firm Arthur Cox as librarian and although she retired some years ago, she remained synonymous with that firm.

In sharing this sad news with colleagues, the current managing partner recalled the days before online editions, when he spent so many mornings leafing through the newspapers in the library and catching up with Thérèse on all manner of topics while doing so. Amongst the many other tributes to her since then, several colleagues in the firm have mentioned her warm and friendly presence, one lawyer describing her as “the most helpful librarian I ever met”.

And for so many of us in the Irish Group, particularly those of us finding our feet in the profession in the 2000s, that was our experience too. She was incredibly welcoming, patient and kind.

She was an active member of BIALL throughout her career. From 2002 to 2004, she was the Convenor of the Irish Group. An email from the vaults is illustrative of her busy working day at that time. Prior to a meeting of the Group in April 2002, she apologised for a delay in sending the minutes, adding an explanation, which was that she had been taking part in the Arthur Cox play, Witness for the Prosecution. As opening lines to BIALL correspondence go, this has probably yet to be bettered.

Thérèse was also a regular attendee at BIALL conferences, having first attended the Edinburgh conference in 1992. She made many friends throughout the UK and Ireland, both within the profession and amongst suppliers, and always enjoyed catching up with them at the annual conference. In 2003, she joined the Legal Information Management Editorial Board. From 2011 to 2013, she was BIALL Honorary Secretary, working alongside other BIALL Council members and with Susan Scorey and James Mullan during their respective terms as President.

We remember Thérèse as a much-valued colleague and friend, who was incredibly generous with her knowledge and expertise. She was also very good company, quick-witted and full of mischief. We enjoyed many laughs and fun times together and will remember her fondly.

On behalf of her many friends in BIALL, we would like to offer our condolences to Thérèse's son David, daughter-in-law Sarah, grandchildren Charlie and Daisy, brother Patrick and her extended family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Members of the BIALL Irish Group