Tributes and a bottle of coke for retiring Cork judge 

Judge Marian O’Leary recalled a bottle of coke whizzing past her as it was hurled in her direction by an unhappy defendant some years ago

Judge Marian O'Leary who celebrated her retirement at the Courthouse, Anglesea Street, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Retiring Judge Marian O’Leary left the bench for the last time at Cork District Court on Wednesday to the sound of unanimous praise. 

As she stood down, she recalled another sound in complete contrast — a bottle of coke whizzing past her as it was hurled in her direction by an unhappy defendant some years ago.

This cola-flavoured vote of no confidence from a “frequent flier” at Cork District Court — which thankfully missed her — was the only fly in the ointment today for the nurse who became a solicitor who became a judge.

A number of speakers in the packed courtroom described Judge O’Leary's care and compassion among many other of her qualities.

District Court president Judge Paul Kelly recalled Judge O’Leary working with quiet, dignified authority at a time when such qualities were so necessary amid the angry social media voices as she worked to maintain and strengthen the rule of law. Judge Mary Dorgan spoke of her working without fear or favour in a just and equitable carrying out of her duties.

Judge Helen Boyle of the circuit court singled out the retiring judge’s dynamism and love for life and wondered if — like the characters in D’Unbelievables — she ate her dinner at eight o’clock in the morning to have a clear run at the day. 

Inspector Brendan McKenna, Superintendent Annette Brown and Dermot Kelly of the Southern Law Association joined in their congratulations for a judge who had shown such great dedication and understanding. Solicitors Frank Buttimer and Donal Daly and barrister Donal McCarthy wished her the best in her retirement as state solicitor Frank Nyhan quipped that it was the first time he had seen Garda Inspectors smiling in Judge O’Leary’s court.

Eleanor Busteed of the Probation Service praised the judge’s willingness to support restorative justice programmes where possible, and Paul McGinty of the Irish Prison Service thanked the judge for the understanding she had shown for their work over the years. 

Solicitors Claire Hickey and Margaret O’Sullivan from Cork County Council and Cork City Council respectively thanked the judge for her common sense approach to cases. Mary Crowley and Dáire Coughlan from the Courts service thanked her for the kindness and decency shown to staff over the years.

Judge O’Leary thanked those who had made her work as a judge so enjoyable and expressed the hope that those appearing before her over the years felt that they were treated fairly in a job which could bring some funny stories but many heartbreaking ones too.

And then, just as the retiring judge may have felt that she was almost finished, her brother Maurice said the family had brought to court something they wanted Judge O’Leary to remember her career by. He rummaged in a bag and then held aloft a symbol of it all — nothing other than a three-quarters full bottle of Coke.