Special homecoming for Mayo-born judge
Circuit Court Judge John O’Connor received a warm welcome on his return to his native Mayo for a special sitting ahead of his retirement. Fellow members of the judiciary – Judge Eoin Garavan (Circuit Court) and Judge Vincent Deane (District Court) – joined members of the Bar Council of Ireland and the Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association as a commemorative photograph to mark the occasion was taken on the steps of Castlebar Courthouse. Front row, from left: Ann Marie Courell, Mayo County Registrar; Judge Garavan, Judge O’Connor (centre), Judge Deane, Gary Mulchrone, outgoing president of the Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association and Breda Byron, Manager, Castlebar Courts Office. Picture: Conor McKeown
There was an emotional Mayo homecoming for a retiring judge this week.
Swinford native Judge John O’Connor was sitting in Mayo for the first and last time ahead of his upcoming retirement.
Judge O’Connor, who comes from a long and illustrious line of legal practitioners, was presiding over the Circuit Court (Family Law) in Castlebar.
Before his elevation to the Circuit Court in 2019, Judge O’Connor was formerly a district court judge and solicitor. His career has seen him become a bastion and exemplar of the administration of justice for juveniles and the vulnerable in Ireland.
Judge O’Connor enrolled as a solicitor in October 1980.
He became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 2008 and an accredited mediator the following year.
He was appointed to the district court in 2012 after more than 20 years as a solicitor during which time he established his own legal firm in Dublin.
Judge O’Connor’s grandfather Patrick founded the family law firm in Swinford in 1900 and served as the East Mayo coroner. The judge's father Thomas Valentine (Val) also served as a solicitor and coroner.
Judge O’Connor brother Pat is familiar to many in Mayo, serving as a coroner for 38 years and in his role as senior partner at P. O'Connor & Son Solicitors in Swinford, while another sibling Justice Tony O’Connor is a High Court judge and was formerly a senior counsel.
Tributes were paid to the judge ahead of the start of Castlebar Circuit Court on Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association, Gary Mulchrone said it was “another milestone day in the storied history” of the O’Connor family.
He said Judge O’Connor had a "groundbreaking" role in the operation of the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act.
District Court Judge Vincent Deane referenced Judge O’Connor’s time on the District Court bench from 2012 to 2019.
“They were not only hard years for Mayo football and to be in Dublin as a Mayo man wasn’t easy, I imagine,” he joked.
Judge Deane said his colleague's work in the field of youth justice was distinguished by legal excellence and an “uncommon understanding of the profound responsibility that the court bears towards young people whose lives have been brought into the criminal justice system".
Mayo County Registrar Dr Ann Marie Courell said Judge O’Connor ensured the voice of the young and vulnerable “was always listened to” and the “dignity of all court users was respected.” She said the O’Connor family name is “synonymous with legal excellence".
Circuit Court Judge Eoin Garavan said Judge O’Connor is “essentially the Irish expert” in the area of Assisted Decision-Making Capacity.
“John in his judicial career has brought humanity to bear with a very sharp, intellectual focus,” said Judge Garavan.
Judge O’Connor expressed his gratitude for the many kind words spoken in court.
“I am truly honoured to be here today,” he commented.
He said coming back to Mayo ahead of his retirement was “very special”.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
