New judge gets warm welcome to Belmullet
Mayo’s new district court judge was welcomed to Erris as she sat in Belmullet for the first time last Wednesday.
Samantha Geraghty welcomed Judge Sandra Murphy on behalf of the solicitors in the area.
“Your former colleagues here in Mayo are extremely proud to welcome you back as one of our own to the court as a presiding judge,” said Ms Geraghty. “You promised in your speeches in recent days to give this role 100% and to treat everyone fairly and equally without fear or favour. Those words were not necessary as there was never any doubt that you would do anything other than excel in the position.
“In return, the legal profession in Mayo make you a promise. To always exercise our best endeavours, to provide the highest standards of advocacy, professionalism, and legal knowledge when appearing in your court. And above all to be at all times cognisant of our unique and privileged role as officers of your court,” she added.
Ms Geraghty said Belmullet and the barony of Erris is a “special place with special people".
“It was in recent times voted the Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland. Hopefully you won’t encounter too much of that wildness in the District Court!”
Barrister Diarmuid Connolly said the camaraderie that is experienced while working in Belmullet is “second to none” and wished Judge Murphy all the best in her position.
Garda Inspector Dermot Butler also welcomed Judge Murphy to the area and said he looked forward to working with her in the years ahead.
Ailish McGuiness, head of the Ballina District Court Office, said Judge Murphy has already excelled during her opening week in the role.
“It is evident that she has that important balance of experience and wisdom."
Thanking everyone for their kind words, Judge Murphy said she “cut her teeth” in Belmullet during her early days as a solicitor and joked that she learned to drive on the roads of Erris.
The judge praised the exemplary court staff she has encountered and said she was well aware upon returning to Mayo of the high standard of legal practitioners.
“Something I have brought with me all over the country and spoke about is the collegiality we have in Mayo. It is something that actually marks us out.”
