‘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.

Earlier, courtroom 1 was packed as judges, barristers, solicitors, court officials, gardaí, prison officers, and media paid their tribute to a man who was not just a caretaker, but a carer of the people who came to court for whatever reason.

Judge O’Donnell said: “Ollie has been caretaker here for the past 16 years. To us who knew him, his job was much more than that. He did his work with a mix of honesty, kindness, integrity and was always courteous and helpful to members of the public.

“Ollie is also a man of strong views which he can give, even to a judge, with economic clarity. His humour was mingled with a sense mischief and he will be greatly missed.”

After court sittings concluded yesterday, a large gathering assembled at the nearby Locke Bar to toast Mr McCarthy — a legend in assisting the administration of justice in Limerick.

Mr McCarthy, once an FAI Junior Cup medal winner with Cals, remarked as the speeches concluded: “Is that it?”