National Archives 1985: Late judge was unhappy with perceived lack of VIP treatment

A late judge who pioneered Ireland’s diplomatic relations with China dished out complaints about a perceived lack of VIP treatment like “snuff at a wake”, State papers have revealed.

Dermot Kinlen, noted for his years on the High Court benches and later as inspector of prisons, wrote to foreign affairs minister Brian Lenihan on July 30, 1980, bemoaning that the Irish consul in Thailand was a Bangkok businessman.

“He had attended some course at Rosses College and has a medal for shooting against the British. It transpires that this was for clay pigeon shooting,” he wrote.