‘Heartbeat’ of Limerick court retires

Mr Justice Carroll Moran once said that when he arrived at Limerick Circuit Court every morning, his day was immediately brightened by Oliver (Ollie) McCarthy’s combined wit and insolence.

His successor, Judge Tom O’Donnell, yesterday described Ollie McCarthy as the “heartbeat and fabric” of life in the Limerick court building.

Mr McCarthy ran down the Tricolour outside the courthouse for the final time yesterday as he stepped into retirement at the age of 70.