Ex-judge and former Munster player Olann Kelleher named Cork Person of the Month

The legal and sporting career of recently retired Judge Olann Kelleher was honoured with a Cork Person of the Month award. Pictured (left to right) at the presentation was awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan, AM O’Sullivan PR's Tina Quinn, Olann Kelleher and The Metropole Hotel's Roger Russell. Picture: Tony O’Connell

A retired judge has been named Cork Person of the Month for February for his outstanding service to the legal profession and the city in general.

Olann Kelleher retired as a judge of the district court in Cork last October after 13 years on the bench.

Awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan said he has left a last legacy.

“This Cork Person of the Month Award is a small but befitting token of our appreciation for Judge Kelleher's immense contributions, which reach far beyond the legal and sporting spheres and into the lives of those all across the city and county,” he said.

Mr O’Callaghan said Mr Kelleher’s journey from a solicitor to a much-respected district court judge distinguishes his career as one driven by a sense of justice, compassion, and integrity.

“His contributions in a variety of roles across the legal, judicial and sporting sphere, demonstrate not only a willingness to pursue excellence but also a drive to work for the betterment of Cork and the wider community,” he said.

Mr Kelleher said becoming a judge was “a turning point” in his life that brought "both personal happiness and a sense of purpose in serving the community of Cork".

“It allowed me to combine my natural sense of justice with a real desire to have a positive impact on the place I call home,” he said.

Judge Olann Kelleher on his last day presiding over court number 1, at the Criminal Court of Justice in Cork last October. Mr Kelleher said becoming a judge was “a turning point” in his life. Picture: David Keane

When he retired, he was commended for his compassionate approach in carrying out his judicial duties, his respectful demeanour towards all who appeared before him, along with his empathetic personality and pronounced lack of ego.

He has also been lauded for his groundbreaking and impactful court-referral program which he drove in conjunction with the HSE South and the drug and alcohol treatment centre Coolmine, which has seen some 189 young people being afforded the opportunity to engage with rehabilitation programmes in lieu of criminal convictions for cocaine possession for personal use.

Mr Kelleher was also honoured for his contribution to sport, including being part of the famous Munster team that beat New Zealand in 1978 — the first Irish team to ever beat the mighty All Blacks.

Mr Kelleher’s name will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the annual gala awards lunch next January.