Music plays large part at funeral of retired judge

A LARGE congregation of family, friends, representatives of the legal profession, members of the judiciary and civic dignitaries gathered at St Patrick’s Church on the Lower Road in Cork yesterday for the funeral Mass of retired Circuit Court Judge Anthony G Murphy who died on Sunday, aged 80.

In his homily, the chief celebrant, Fr Tony O’Riordan, spoke of Judge Murphy’s steadfastness on the Bench as well as his conviviality among friends, in particular his sense of humour, reflected in his wish that music play a large part in the proceedings, but with the proviso that “it should not include Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer”.

Fr O’Riordan’s recollection of his friend’s sociability was echoed by Judge Murphy’s son, Simon, who spoke of his father’s wide interests which included horses, sailing and golf, music and theatre.