Reporter Andrew Carey pays tribute to a much respected Limerick judge.
THE last two weeks for Judge Tom O’Donnell have been filled with emotional highs and lows for the man, who for over the past three decades has been an intrinsic part of the fabric of court and the law in Limerick but now takes a well deserved elevation to the role of a Circuit Court Judge.
While fulsome tributes have been ringing out from his professional colleagues, Judge O’Donnell is always spoken highly of by the ordinary man and woman in the street who frequently refer to him as the “athletic and sporting judge”. That’s the measure of the man.
I shared a table with him recently for a hot lunch and a glass of milk at the Locke Bar. Up to recently that very lunchtime break from court always came as a welcome reprieve as it is well documented the enormous case load that he would hear and deal with.
“It’s a credit to the people and the team at the Limerick District Court staff.
“The staff there are the real jewels in the crown and were always a pleasure to work with, full of loyalty and friendship. I hope I served them well.”
Court staff would say that he was part of their normal office life, “sharing coffee in the canteen or a chat after the weekend”.
They speak of the void that he has left and Peter Golden, Limerick District Court Clerk said that they could only “wish for a similar replacement judge who is as courteous and respectful”.
The man himself said he is not hanging up his robe or boxing away his gavel as it were.
“I’m actually not retiring. I’m just moving on.”
Visibly emotional on the day of his final sitting at Limerick District Court, Tom, as he is affectionately known to both defendants and legals alike, had a lump in his throat, and understandably, so given the character of the man. It was clear to see that this was a painful exit from a chapter of his legal life that he had become so attached to.
“It’s bitter sweet – it is part of my DNA here.”
It may have been 35 years ago this month that he collected his parchment to begin his legal career and so it was fitting that, surrounded by colleagues, friends and of course his wife, Gene and members of his family, that Judge O’Donnell thanked them for their support while adding:
“One day my son raised his head from a newspaper saying: “Dad, how come you make all these decisions in town but you make none at home?”
Remaining composed through to the end of the many tributes being paid to him, there was nevertheless, a “wobble” in the voice when he acknowledged that: “My Mum, my biggest fan” was not with him to see this day.
“However, I’m sure she’s looking down on us,” he said.
Before returning to the official business in hand – presiding over the cases of the day, many commented and complimented his time at the bench since 1999.
Ted McCarthy spoke on behalf of his fellow solicitors saying that the appointment is “well merited” and that Judge O’Donnell’s “high standards will go with him to the circuit court”.
Many, including barrister Brian McInerney, echoing the sentiments of the tributes, added:
“On behalf of the Bar, we welcome you to the Circuit Courts, but I hope we are not expected to work at the same rate you did in the District Court,” he quipped.
Tributes from the gardai through Detective Superintendent Jim Browne noted the manner and fairness with which Judge O’Donnell presided over the courtroom, while he always looked to rehabilitate young people. He said that because of his extensive knowledge of the Children’s Act, “many young people are now better off, having worked through probation – jail was always the last call”.
Michael O’Halloran, speaking on behalf of the prison officers and the governor, said that it was through the vision of Judge O’Donnell that the prison and courtroom video link system, which celebrated its second anniversary recently, was a credit to his district court legacy.
Margaret Griffin paid tribute to the integrity, fairness and sense of humour that Judge O’Donnell had in abundance, as well as the skill that set him apart.
And what of the judge and the man that presided over many cases whenever required? One character quipped to me, “Ah ya he’s sound all right, sure Tom’s the same as any one of us only he stays out of trouble”. This tribute from the same “character” who stood outside the court house awaiting his “number to be called”.
Judge Tom O’Donnell is very much a man of the people and as he says himself, “one that is serving the people of Limerick.
“I hope I served them well throughout my years at Limerick District Court,” he says with disarming humility.
State Solicitor, Michael Murray, a life long friend who grew up in the house next door to O’Donnell’s said that he was “a credit to the city – his parents would be very proud”. A Limerick man through and through he has a keen and vast knowledge and love of the city and county. Limerick rugby, politics, sports and much more.
So there’s a gap left now and Judge O’Donnell takes with him a career set for further greatness, while leaving behind an impression and a legacy that surely will be very difficult to equal.
A decision on a permanent replacement is “ongoing” as the process of identifying suitable candidates continues. The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board faces a difficult decision, of that there is no doubt, as replacing a man that carried out a similar work load to that of three sitting judges in Cork surely is a mammoth task. And so, as Judge O’Donnell’s new journey begins and the former District Court Judge moves to pastures new, this reporter feels sure that the rugby loving triathlete will miss one little part of the city that he became so attached to.
