Mayo's new district court judge holds first sitting
Judge Sandra Murphy was welcomed to Castlebar District Court last Tuesday.
There was a large gathering of legal professionals at Castlebar Courthouse last Tuesday to mark the first sitting of the county's new district court judge Sandra Murphy.
Judge Murphy is the third successive woman to hold the role and follows in the footsteps of Judge Fiona Lydon, who served in Mayo from 2018 to 2025, and Judge Mary Devins who was district court judge in Mayo from 1999 up to 2018.
Judge Murphy comes with considerable experience as a solicitor and more recently as a judge covering Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, while she also served several other areas around the country as a 'mobable judge' before being appointed permanently to Mayo’s District Court Number 3 following the recent transfer of Judge Lydon to County Galway.
Judge Murphy, who is a native of Ballinrobe, is wife of Kitimagh solicitor Charlie Gilmartin and a daughter of the late Patsy Murphy, a former county registrar, while she has further legal connections through her brother Patrick who is a well-known barrister. She is also a cousin of retired district court judge Patrick Durcan.
Welcoming Judge Murphy to Castlebar District Court, solicitor Gary Mulchrone, who is president of the Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association, said “this is very much an occasion where we welcome home one of our own". Mr Mulchrone noted that Judge Murphy had served her time as a solicitor in Mayo.
“You earned a reputation as an excellent lawyer, a trustworthy colleague, and a sharp legal mind, which, no doubt furthered by your involvement in the University of Galway and your work on the hard-working Conveyancing Committee of the Law Society.
“You clearly have the right combination of coming from the best of legal tradition and the practical academic excellence and hard work that embodied your work as a solicitor," he said.
Mr Mulchrone added: “It is important the person who presides in the district understands the place, its people and its customs.
“I think that can only lend itself to fairer decisions, because justice in the district court is - at its heart - local justice, with an innate understanding of the people and the place [and] the court of first instance with which most of the population will experience their first interactions with the court process.
"While previous incumbents from outside the area certainly came to gain that understanding, you have an advantage – it’s in your DNA.
“As a leading member of the Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association in times past, you showed an understanding and a commitment to the role solicitors play in everyday life. You were an advocate for our members and a committed, enthusiastic volunteer working for the betterment of the profession. You have almost a lifetime of experience in this great county, knowing its people, our colleagues and gaining a deep understanding of how the profession operates,” added Mr Mulchrone.
Speaking on behalf of the local barristers, Diarmuid Connolly BL, said Judge Murphy hailed from a highly reputable legal family whose pedigree was beyond question.
“You have had a very long and distinguished career in this building, and we can’t but imagine what a proud day it would have been for Patsy and your mum to be here today, so they are very much in our thoughts."
Mr Connolly said Mayo was lucky to have such a dedicated courts staff working behind the scenes in ensuring the legal wheel runs smoothly but he also knew the workload was increasing all the time and the work of a judge, like everyone else, was getting harder and harder given the volume of work that is now coming through the courts.
State Solicitor for Mayo, Louise Cresham, also welcomed Judge Murphy and assured her of her full support.
The new judge was also warmly welcomed by members of the Courts Service and the Probation Service, while Garda Inspector Maria Hayes welcomed Judge Murphy on behalf of An Garda Síochána and ensured her of the full cooperation and support from her office and from the members of An Garda Síochána in Mayo.
Judge Murphy said she was only too well aware that she was taking over an area where the standard has been set very high by her predecessors, Judge Lydon and Judge Devins.
She expressed her delight to be appointed to her native Mayo, describing it as an honour and a privilege to serve as a district court judge in her native county.
“The district court is, in many ways, the beating heart of the criminal justice system in this country. It plays a crucial role in the administration of justice,” she said.
Judge Murphy described the district court as ‘the people’s court’, which could not operate without the hard work and dedication of the courts staff, legal professionals, An Garda Síochána, prison officers, probation officers and members of the press.
Added Judge Murphy: “Be assured that I will give my 100 percent best endeavours every day I sit in this district. And I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the years ahead. Thank you again for your warm welcome.”
