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Sad Day As Chapter Of Borrisokane History Closes

Thursday, 29 December 2011

It was a sad day in Borrisokane on Thursday last as the doors of the local Courthouse closed forever, bringing to an end a service in the town that dates back to 1775. The occasion seemed all the more poignant, as it was Judge Elizabeth McGrath who was the last Judge to sit on the bench in Borrisokane, a town where both her father and her grandfather had also presided over District Court proceedings over the years.
When the formal business of the District Court ended on Thursday afternoon and most people had drifted away from the building, there was a gathering inside of people who have been part of the administration of justice in Borrisokane over many years and there was a tangible air of nostalgia and melancholy as memories were shared by such people as former District Judge Michael Reilly who is now Inspector of Prisons, retired Court Clerk John Joe Buckley, local Solicitors, members of An Garda Siochana, members of Courts Services and members of the media.
From January 1st the business of Roscrea, Borrisokane and Newport District Courts will moved into Nenagh District Court, which will have eight sittings a month in an effort to cope with criminal, civil and family law matters from all areas. The closure of these courts has been protested against in the strongest possible terms, with solicitors in Roscrea staging a symbolic walkout from the local Court in early December. In what has been termed by Courts Service as a move to provide the users of these Courts with better facilities, the exercise is more accurately seen as a cost saving measure.
However, when the figures were totted up, those objecting to the move have shown that it will actually save a very small amount of money but will cause untold hardship to those from Borrisokane, Roscrea and Newport who will now have to travel to crowded courts to have justice administered.
In an emotional address on Thursday last, Mr Paul Malone, representing the legal practitioners, said that it was 'a sad day brought about by faceless individuals'. He said that the closing down of such a service is not what Ireland needs at the present time and asked, 'What will be next - the Garda Stations?' He said that there has been a Court in some form in Borrisokane probably since 1775 and added that the building currently used by the Court dates back to between 1847 and 1850.
Mr Malone went on to recall some of those were familiar faces in the Court down through the years, paying tribute in the first instance to Judge Elizabeth McGrath's father and grandfather. Of Judge McGrath's father he said 'He was here when I first came to Borrisokane as a young Solicitor in 1970 - he was a great listener and very patient at that time'. He recalled that Judge Oliver Macklin was the next Judge on the bench, saying that he had a particular interest in licencing matters and young offenders and 'he frightened the living daylights out of them so they'd never end up before the Court again'. Mr. Malone said that Judge James O'Sullivan came next - better known as Gentleman Jim or the Dickie-bow Judge, who was king and very professional and a true gentleman'. Then came Judge Michael Reilly, who coined the phrase 'Court of common sense' and could see through any story that a defendant might put before him but was very fair and thorough in his work. He paid tribute to Judge Mary Martin, wishing her a speedy recovery to good health and also praised the sitting Judge, Elizabeth McGrath, who has followed in the great tradition of her father and grandfather.
Mr Malone also recalled the Court Clerks who had worked in Borrisokane District Court, including Dan Murphy, John J. Buckley, Brendan McDonnell, Josie Mulhern and the current Clerk, Dolores Gordon and he thanked them for their help and assistance over the years.
He concluded 'It's a pity to see this Court close - I don't know why it all ends today. It's something else disregarded that works in Ireland'.
Representing Court Registrars, Josie Mulhern thanked all the Judges they had worked with over the years and also warmly praised the local Gardai, with particular mention for Sergeant Michael 'Babs' Keating. She also thanked the local Solicitors, the Probation Services with particular mention to Carol Gleeson, the Court caretaker and the media.
Superintendent Robert Noonan, on behalf of the Gardai, said that it is difficult to see the reasoning behind the closure of Borrisokane Court but added that, on a positive note, there are fine facilities in Nenagh District Court. He paid tribute to all those involved in the Court down through the years, saying, 'This is a sad day'.
Michael Reilly, the longest serving Judge in Borrisokane and the current Inspector of Prisons in Ireland, joked that he had not spoken from the body of the Court since 1982 and is far more familiar with speaking from the bench. Paying tribute to the Court Registrars, he said that the job of a Judge is either made easy or hard by the job of the registrars and it was always easy in Borrisokane. He said 'I sympathise with the people who will have to face change as a result of the closure of this Court. It is the closing down of an historic institution, a county court. It's strange when a place has to close.' He recalled that many years ago the building was damp but that, since its refurbishment, it has been a pleasant place to sit. 'I enjoyed myself here,' he said, 'and when I got a call two days ago inviting me to be here today I felt I would like to be here on this day.'
Retire registrar, John J. Buckley, expressed his gratitude at being invited to this 'momentous event'. He said that it was a very sad occasion and he recalled travelling from Nenagh to Borrisokane Court years ago and bringing Nenagh Guardian reporter, the Late Gerry McLoughlin, with him where he joined his colleague, the late Bud Burke from the Midland Tribune. 'It was a fairly ramshackle place then', he said, 'not like it is now'.
Judge Elizabeth McGrath brought the speeches to a close by saying that she found it very nostalgic to be presiding over the third District Court in the month of December that is unlikely to ever sit again. Paying tribute to all those involved in the Court, she said, 'I always enjoyed the atmosphere in this Court. It's a sad occasion, but life changes.'

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