New judge takes up her role

The newly appointed District Judge for Nenagh was welcomed by members of the legal profession at a sitting of the District Court on Friday week last.

Co Clare native Judge Marie Keane succeeds Judge Elizabeth MacGrath whose untimely death occurred in early July.

Judge Keane formerly practised as a solicitor based in Ennis and was a partner in the firm of Callinan Keane.

She was appointed by the Government as a judge of the District Court in 2015. As a member of the “Moveable” panel of judges, she presided in the intervening years at District Court sittings in many parts of the country.

She also has qualifications in commercial property, as well as in mental health law and in mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Judge Keane's previous work as a solicitor sometimes brought her to Nenagh where she acted mainly in family law cases.

She has been a member of the Family Law Committee of the Law Society, a founding member of the Family Law Mediation Group and a member of the panel for the Mental Health Commission.

Nenagh solicitor, Mariea Flanagan, on behalf of all local solicitors, welcomed Judge Keane to Nenagh District Court.

Judge Keane's roles as a judge encompasses all of the District Court Number 8 region, which takes in the court areas of Thurles and Tipperary Town.

Ms Flanagan expressed confidence that Judge Keane would enjoy her time in Nenagh where there had always been a great spirit of cooperation among member of the legal profession, an Garda Síochána, staff of the Courts Service and officers of the Prison Service.

Sergeant Regina McCarthy of Nenagh Garda Station said it was a pleasure to have Judge Keane preside at the local courts; she wished her all the best in her time in the district.

Barrister Paddy Kennedy was also associated with the good wishes, as was Court Clerk, Tommy Mockler.

Responding, Judge Keane said her appointment to the district had been a bitter-sweet one, as the post she was filling had been vacated due to the unfortunate death of her friend Judge MacGrath.

Judge Keane said that having presided in many courts throughout the State over the past ten years, she was very happy to be appointed to District Number 8.

As a result of presiding at court in several parts of the State, she knew where she did not want to sit as a judge “...but I never had that feeling in District Court Number 8”, she said.

STRONG RELATIONSHIP

What she had observed was the very strong relationship and happy vibe that existed in the courts in Tipperary. It was a vibe she did not get in many other districts.

“I'm very pleased to be here,” said Judge Keane, adding that she was open to any suggestions on how the running of the local courts might be improved.

Judge Keane said it was her intention to have half-hour lunch breaks during court sittings, as she liked to keep things moving rather than have everyone waiting in courts for unduly long periods.

She thanked everyone for their gracious welcome.