Tributes paid to 'decent, kind and humorous' judge Uinsin MacGruairc following his death

Judges, solicitors and gardaí recalled how the judge would get the bus home from court with people who had been before him that day

Judge Uinsin MacGruairc 'ran the show in Cork District Court in an exemplary fashion'. Picture: Dan Linehan

A District Court judge who dispensed justice with humanity and a liberal sprinkling of humour and went home each day on the bus with many of the people who had appeared before him was recalled with warmth today at Cork District Court where he presided for many years.

Sympathies were expressed to the family of Uinsin MacGruairc, whose funeral took place as those who worked with him recalled his kindness.

Judge David Waters said many of the legal practitioners in Cork would feel his loss most keenly. For his own part, Judge Waters said he only appeared before him on a small number of occasions, most memorably for a case involving sheep-worrying, “and he knocked out a lot of fun on that day. Apart from being a wonderful judge, he had a wonderful sense of humour.” 

On behalf of the Southern Law Association, Frank Buttimer, solicitor, recalled one of his first jobs as a new solicitor, going nervously to court to meet a barrister on a day in 1981 and it happened to be Uinsin MacGruaric: “He was so pleasant, kind and humorous — he put me at my ease for what was my first interaction with any barrister.

“He was a very decent and kind man and distinguished himself at the bar before becoming a judge. As an initially unassigned judge he relished the travel, meeting people in different locations throughout the country. He had a great sense of humanity.

“He ran the show in Cork District Court in such an exemplary fashion, aided and abetted by many district court clerks. Ultimately, the job was that justice had to be done and Uinsin did that in so many exemplary ways. His dealings with everybody — court staff, witnesses, accused persons, victims, members of An Garda Síochána, prison staff, probation officers, general public, the media — the whole thing was just wonderful to observe all of the time that he was there.

“He would get up on the bus going home with his plastic bag at the end of the day and there would be people who he had met in the court and to whom he had dispensed justice, upstairs on the bus with him, he would nearly bring them into the house for a cup of tea, he was just that kind of guy.” 

“It is a very very sad day, he has left a lasting impression on all of us who encountered him in our professional lives and in our personal lives, we offer our sincerest condolences to Ita and to his family.” 

Inspector Fergal Long said: “On behalf of An Garda Síochána, I would like to extend condolences to the family of Uinsin MacGruairc. As a young guard in this court, I have fond memories, as I am sure many members of my vintage had.” 

On behalf of the Probation Service, Eleanor Busteed joined in extending condolences, saying: “Judge MacGruairc was inspirational. He had a deep understanding of the people that were appearing before him”.

Myles Reidy, court registrar expressed deepest sympathies to the family.

Mahon Corkery, barrister, said: “He always struck me as somebody who favoured gentle encouragement, empathy and understanding of the person appearing before him, over force and strictness. He had a deep understanding of humanity.” 

Judge Philip O’Leary said: “Bhí sé dílis agus greannmhar. Rinne sé a dhícheal gach seans a thabhairt do gach aon duine a tháinig ós a chómhair. Déanaim cómhbhrón lena bhean chéile, Ita, agus a chlann go léir,” before asking for a minute’s silence for the late Uinsin MacGruairc.