This article is from page 20 of the 2014-11-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A NEWLY-appointed High Court Judge has said time spent staying in Kilkee ranks among his most treasured memories of working in Clare.
Judge Carroll Moran recalled his time on the bench in Clare on his last day presiding over circuit court business in Ennis Courthouse.
The judge, who has sat in Clare on a permanent basis on the southwestern Circuit since 2004, has been promoted to the High Court.
Yesterday he recalled the period when the circuit court sat in Kilrush to facilitate the re-development of Ennis Courthouse.
Judge Moran said he stayed at the Stella Maris Hotel in Kilkee. He told the court that most people are familiar with Kilkee in the summer but “to be in Kilkee in February is quite an experience” as the Atlantic waves crashed against the cliffs. Judge Moran said he would “treasure” those memories of Kilkee for a long time.
Judge Gerald Keys, the circuit court Judge in Clare, led tributes to Judge Moran, saying, “This court has lost an extraordinary good Judge.”
Judge Keys said Judge Moran’s “appetite for work is quite extraordinary” and set down quite a precedent for others to follow.
Speaking on behalf of the Clare Bar Association, Michael Collins BL, said Judge Moran was a man of “administrative f air”, of “courtesy” and “compassion”.
He said Judge Moran is an “unfathomable font of patience”.
President of the Clare Law Association, William Cahir, said the people of Clare had been well served by Judge Moran’s efforts to reduce the long delays in circuit court lists that had existed in the county in 2002.
State solicitor for Clare Martin Linnane said, “You deserve your elevation judge and I wish you all the best.”
Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Divi- sion, John Kerin thanked Judge Moran for the courtesy he had shown to all gardaí.
He praised the judge for the “humane” manner in which he had dealt with cases. Court off ce manager, Josephine Tone said it had been a pleasure to work with Judge Moran and to see him work.
Judge Moran said he was “overwhelmed” by the compliments and “delightful lies!” he had heard.
He paid tribute to all court services staff, past and present, he worked with and his predecessors on the bench, Judge Kevin O’Higgins and Judge Sean O’Leary.