A CLOSE friend and a man with limitless energy who would carry out his duties with grace, dignity and the utmost of courtesy, is how Judge Tom O’Donnell described retiring Garda Sergeant Gerry Rigney, at Limerick District Court. Sergeant Rigney was appointed as a ministerial garda driver between 1995 and 1997, and he will return to serve the same TD, Michael Noonan, in his new portfolio at the Department of Finance.
The comments of the recently nominated Circuit Court Judge came as Sergeant Rigney served his last day at the District Court, following nine years service with his fellow gardai, members of the Probation Services, Prison Officers, solicitors and court staff.
With 36 years service, Gerry Rigney saw out his term with the force based in the courthouses at Merchants Quay, having first joined the ranks in 1975.
Judge O’Donnell outlined his career.
Years of service included posts at the former Edward Street Garda Station, Cappamore, Roxboro and at Garda Headquarters.
Judge O’Donnell pointed out that the help and assistance offered by the retiring sergeant was always part of the fabric of law and order at the court.
Noted as a man that offered his time to the public in many ways, including his selfless work for charities and the community, the comments of Judge O’Donnell were echoed by Ted McCarthy on behalf of the legal profession, as well as Michael O’Mahony from the Prison Service and members of the Probation Services and Superintendent John Scanlon, Roxboro Garda Station.
Having listened to the plaudits, Sergeant Rigney responded that he was part of “a team in the courts, together with the various agencies, that carried out the duties required”.
Highlighting the work of the court clerks and gardai Mary O’Leary and Mary Kileen, assigned to assist the prosecuting inspectors, he said that as a lifelong friend to Judge O’Donnell, he commended the way he held his court sittings and congratulated him on his pending elevation to the Circuit Court. Sergeant Rigney received a standing ovation to mark his 36 years service. He will take up his appointment as a ministerial driver in May.
