Tributes paid to West Cork judge on his retirement

James McNulty praised by colleagues for his professionalism, sense of justice, and 'great understanding of how West Cork works'

District Court Judge James McNulty with fellow Judges Helen Boyle and John King in the packed courtroom in Clonakilty where well-wishers including judges, barristers, solicitors, and gardaí gathered to pay tribute to him on his retirement. Picture: Andy Gibson

Clonakilty courthouse in West Cork was packed  as judges, barristers, solicitors, senior gardaí and Courts Service staff gathered to pay tribute to retiring district court judge James McNulty. 

Judge McNulty was joined by his wife Betty and three daughters Sarah, Fiona and Grace as he donned his judge’s robes for the last time following a 23-year career as a judge, 19 of which he spent in West Cork.

District Court president Judge Paul Kelly, who joined the gathering by video link, said the size of the crowd that gathered to wish James McNulty well on his retirement was a testament to the high esteem in which he is held. He said Judge McNulty always showed “compassionate humanity and scrupulous fairness” and it would be “difficult to find anyone to say a bad word about him”. 

Circuit court judge Helen Boyle said Judge McNulty “knew the people who needed chances” and had “a great understanding of how west Cork works.” 

His district court colleague Judge John King said: “He was one off the best and will be sorely missed,” adding “James McNulty is a true renaissance man, a man for all seasons.” 

James McNulty with his wife Betty in the packed Clonakilty Courthouse on Friday, his final day as a District Court Judge. Picture: Andy Gibson

Senior Counsel Dan Cronin on behalf of the Cork Bar Association said that Judge McNulty always made visiting barristers feel very welcome in his court while Tim O’Connor BL of the Bar Council of Ireland Circuit Liaison Committee said that the State owed Judge McNulty thanks for his public service adding that he “could not have been a better exemplar” of how a district court should be run.

Solicitor Ernest Cantillon, president of the Southern Law Association said that Judge McNulty was “fair, consistent, kind, concise, self depreciating and a pleasure to work with.” 

Macroom solicitor Patrick Goold thanked the judge for his service and said: “It is a sad day. We will miss you.” 

President of the West Cork Bar Association Mary Jo Crowley said that Judge McNulty had made a “huge contribution” and would leave a rich legacy.

On behalf of An Garda Síochána, Superintendent Joe Moore said there was “always a sense of justice” coming into Judge McNulty’s Court. He said the judge had always shown a professional and caring manner and was always ready to help.

Judge McNulty thanked the Courts Service staff, his judicial colleagues, members of the legal profession, gardaí and members of the media. He said that it had been “the greatest honour of my life to serve the people of Ireland as a judge.”