The body that represents solicitors in Ireland is to commission a new gold chain for its president after the original was lost.

The Law Society of Ireland confirmed it would be replacing the chain, which was lost this summer during the one-year presidential term of Kevin O’Higgins, a solicitor and legal adviser to Fine Gael.

Mr O’Higgins wrote to Law Society council members to say he was “devastated” at being unable to locate the chain since he last wore it at an official function in July, Phoenix magazine reported.