'A powerhouse of legal knowledge': Tributes paid to court registrar, Martin O'Donovan, on his retirement

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024 - 16:42

Liam Heylin

A highly respected figure, who played a pivotal role in the running of the courts at Washington Street in Cork over the past four decades, retired today as members of the judiciary, lawyers, colleagues, friends and family gathered for the occasion.

Martin O'Donovan, Registrar at Washington Street Courthouse pictured at an event to mark his retirement. Pic Larry Cummins

Judge Helen Boyle led tributes to the retiring court registrar: “Martin O’Donovan has been an integral part of the administration of justice in Ireland – and more importantly, in Cork – for more than 40 years.”

Recalling her time as a legal practitioner appearing before the late Judge Patrick J. Moran – with whom Mr O’Donovan was registrar – “You knew by Martin’s face what way your case was going – swimmingly or down the swanny. He is a powerhouse of legal knowledge, one of the foundations of the Cork Circuit. The excellence he displays is something we almost take for granted - we shouldn’t.”

Retirement of (centre) Martin O'Donovan, Registrar at Washington Street Courthouse, pictured with (from left) Clare O Shea - O Neill, County Registrar, Judge John King, Judge Fiona O Sullivan, Judge Sinead Behan, Judge Mary Dorgan, Judge Helen Boyle, and Judge Dermot Sheehan. Pic Larry Cummins

In terms of his personality, Judge Boyle said that Mr O’Donovan was always supportive and reassuring for witnesses and those who were often highly stressed by the particular circumstances in which they were appearing in court.

“I am acutely aware that as he sails off into the sunset a lot of knowledge sails with him,” Judge Boyle said.

Joining Judge Boyle for the tributes in a packed courtroom today were other members of the judiciary, Judges Sinead Behan, Dermot Sheehan and Fiona O’Sullivan of the Circuit Court and Judges Mary Dorgan and John King of the District Court. Mr O’Donovan’s wife Angela and daughters Fiona and Orla were also present for the special occasion.

Retirement of (centre) Martin O Donovan, Registrar at Washington Street Courthouse, pictured with his wife Angela, daughters Fiona and Orla and family and colleagues from the courts service today. Pic Larry Cummins

Also paying tribute today to the retiring registrar were the Father of the Munster Bar, barrister Donal McCarthy, President of the Southern Law Association, John Fuller, State solicitor Frank Nyhan and Court registrar Mary Clare Kearney.

Martin O’Donovan thanked his family, friends, colleagues, solicitors, barristers and members of the judiciary and fondly recalled those who have died.

Colleagues, friends and family gathered to bid Mr O'Donovan farewell today. Pic Larry Cummins

In particular, he recalled his old friend and fellow registrar, Richie O’Connor, court crier James Flannery, Judge Patrick J. Moran and barrister Jane Anne Rothwell, all of whom passed in recent years.

Born and raised “in the shadow of the North chapel”, he joined the civil service in February 1981 and was assigned to an office in Dublin.

“I did the first thing every self-respecting Cork man does and applied for a transfer to Cork,” he said.

By the time he got that transfer to Cork Circuit Court in 1984 he was reluctant to leave Dublin but his late mother advised him to give it a go. He did. And he went on to do so for 40 years.

Recalling some of the cases to come before the courts in his time as registrar they included the Ian Bailey libel trial – “We could have made a fortune if we sold tickets!”

And another case where an MI5 witness was asked in cross-examination if he worked with Ms Moneypenny or had a licence to kill.

Thanking those present and absent who made his working life such a pleasure, he said in farewell, “It’s been a blast.”