Tributes paid to 'wonderful' Cork-based former judge Uinsin MacGruairc following his death

Tributes have been paid to former Cork District Court judge Uinsin MacGruairc who has died.

During a career spanning more than 30 years as a barrister and judge Mr MacGruairc, who retired in 2010, was widely respected by solicitors, gardaí, and court staff.

Mr MacGruairc, a former broadcaster and presenter with RTÉ, was appointed a judge to the district court in 1990 and assigned to Cork in 1994.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer told The Echo that Mr MacGruairc had served with distinction on Leeside and leaves behind him a strong legacy.

“He was a wonderful human being. He was engaging. 

“He was the most empathetic individual with a great understanding of human nature. All of his friends and colleagues will miss him enormously. He distinguished himself as a judge.

“He was courteous to everybody who appeared before him. Whether it be accused persons, members of An Garda Síochána, witnesses, or legal colleagues.”

Dr Seán Ó Conaill, a senior lecturer in the school of law at University College Cork, said that Mr MacGruairc was “a giant of the legal community”.

“He had amazing compassion. For a long time, it was part of legal curriculum to go and observe Judge MacGruairc’s court sessions. 

“It gave you a really good insight into what it was like to see a judge who understood the law really well and administered it very fairly. But he did so with compassion and understanding.

“It is not easy for a Kerry man to become beloved in Cork. But he certainly was.”

Barrister Jim Duggan BL, who knew Mr MacGruairc for over 50 years, recalled him as a “magnificent judge”.

“He would be trying to give the guy a break and if there was any chance at all of doing it he would. Everybody got a second and a third chance from him.”

Mr MacGruairc will repose at Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Rd, this evening from 5pm to 6pm. 

He will be laid to rest at St Michael’s Cemetery, Blackrock, on Tuesday following Requiem Mass in St Michael’s Church.