GLOWING TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc as he stepped down from the bench at Cork District Court following a career spanning more than 30 years as a barrister and judge.
Solicitors, judges, senior gardaí and court services staff packed Cork District Court No 1 yesterday as tributes were paid to the former schoolteacher and RTÉ producer and presenter who was appointed a judge of the District Court in 1990 and assigned to Cork in 1994.
There to hear the expressions of gratitude and goodwill to the Ballinskelligs-born and Cahersiveen-reared judge on his retirement were his wife, Ita, and family.
President of the Southern Law Association Eamonn Murray praised Judge Mac Gruairc for his unfailing courtesy, professionalism, humanity and “a great sense of humour that never left you in your role as a judge”.
Barrister Jim Duggan, on behalf of the Cork Bar, said many people expected to find “austerity and pomp in court but they never met those in your court – instead they found humanity, wit and fairness”.
Solicitor Frank Buttimer, on behalf of local practitioners, paid an affectionate tribute to Judge Mac Gruairc, pointing out that he always treated prisoners with respect and sought to involve the families of an accused person as much as possible to help them.
State solicitor for Cork city Barry Galvin said that Judge Mac Gruairc had brought a great compassion to his work as a prosecuting barrister, meeting victims and their families at a time when it was not the norm, while he also had a great knowledge of the law.
Chief Supt Mick Finn said many young gardaí had learned a huge amount about court procedure and the laws of evidence from appearing in Judge Mac Gruairc’s court over the years.
However, Chief Supt Finn said Judge Mac Gruairc’s most notable feature was his compassion.
“Some fellow might appear in court having fallen back on the drink and he would leave this court with his dignity intact and some hope because of the way you treated him,” he said.