Judicial wit stands the test of time

COUNTY Court Judge Adams, who was a native of Castletownbere, Co Cork, was a noted raconteur.

At one quarter sessions in Limerick, he received a report of an alarming increase in the number of cases of drunkenness.

“Alas,” said Judge Adams, “Limerick is no longer to be called the City of the Violated Treaty. It is now the City of the Broken Pledge.” On another occasion, Judge Adams, refusing to hold a sitting of his court on Good Friday, remarked: “I don’t want to emulate the example of Pontius Pilate who held his court on Good Friday.”