In Pictures: Judge retires after a decade on Limerick bench

MANY tributes have been paid to retiring Judge Mary Larkin on both sides of the Limerick-Clare border.

The judge who was a familiar face in courts in the city, Newcastle West and Kilmallock for almost a decade officially stepped down from the bench in Ennis on Sunday.

Originally from Oughterard in County Galway, Ms Larkin was educated in UCG, now NUI Galway, and the Law Society of Ireland before being admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1976.

She worked as a solicitor for 36 years - including setting up her own practice in Gort. Ms Larkin was seen as “a pioneer in the field of family law”.

She became Judge Larkin in 2012 and Limerick would become her judicial home from 2013 where she had a particular fondness for Newcastle West Courthouse. Her last appointment was to the Banner County as the permanent judge for County Clare in 2021.

Warm tributes were paid at a retirement function in Ennis on Friday and this Monday in Limerick Circuit Court. Judge Tom O’Donnell said Ms Larkin was a good friend and colleague both as a solicitor and a judge.

“I wish her every health and happiness in her retirement. She won’t let the grass grow under her feet. I gather there was quite the turnout in Ennis to wish her well and I would just like to add my good wishes as well,” said Judge O’Donnell.

On behalf of himself and fellow State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, Aidan Judge said when Judge Larkin was leaving in 2021 he said two things to her, “We're very, very sorry to lose a person of her calibre in County Limerick and if I knew the Clare solicitors as well as I thought I knew them, that they would welcome her with open arms and out in Ennis District Court last Friday was attest to that - it was packed”.

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“We all know her as a person of considerable compassion and she delivered justice without any affectation, pomp or ceremony.

The reason she was liked universally was she insisted on being just to everybody. I think it is the mark of the woman,” said Mr Judge.

Julianne Kiely, president of Limerick Solicitor’ Bar Association, also said the huge turnout for Judge Larkin last Friday at Ennis District Court was testament to the support that she has amongst practitioners.

“All of the solicitors in Limerick city and county would like to congratulate Judge Larkin on her retirement. She was a popular and well-liked judge who showed compassion to those who appeared before her.

“During her time in Limerick she oversaw the civil, criminal and family courts and she ran her court efficiently and with respect for those that appeared before her. She brought her own unique style, character and energy to the bench and was fair to all.

“We would like to wish her all the best of luck for the future,” said Ms Kiely.

Judge Larkin might have one more “sentence” to hand down and Judge Tom O’Donnell could be the one on the receiving end.

In wishing her a happy birthday, Judge O’Donnell said: “She will be very cross I mentioned the fact that it is her birthday today!”