Tributes to judge who was known for his compassion
JUDGE John McKee, who died earlier this month, has been hailed as a “compassionate, gracious and forward-thinking”. member of Northern Ireland’s judiciary.
Chairman of the Bar in Northern Ireland Liam McCollum QC said: “John enjoyed an illustrious career at the Bar before being elevated to the Bench, where he THE Prime Minister has paid tribute to a Coleraine woman for her efforts to support parents grieving the loss of a child.
Andrea McAleese, who set up the Angel of Hope Memorial Garden after losing her own daughter Roma in a road accident, has been given a Points of Light award, which recognises the work of volunteers to improve their communities.
In a letter to Andrea, Theresa May said she had “responded to a personal tragedy with tremendous strength”. She added: “The garden, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, is bringing comfort to those struggling with bereavement by providing a peaceful sanctuary to reflect and remember loved ones.”
Andrea said that she felt incredibly honoured to have been chosen for the award. was known for his fairness and dedication to the rule of law as a judge. In the Trinity term of 1995 John was appointed as a Bencher of the Inn of Court, where he maintained a strong connection with the Bar of Northern Ireland until his death.”
Tributes were also paid by the governors and staff of the Presbyterian Children’s Society, of which Judge McKee was a governor for 47 years, and he served as president from 1999 until 2013.
The PCS works mainly through ministers to alleviate poverty and financial hardship for children and their families, and funding is provided mainly through regular grants throughout the year and exceptional oneoff, short-term grants.
The society is currently assisting some 800 children in 415 families in more than 200 congregations throughout Ireland.
Some 25% of the families which receive support live in the Republic, and the society also supports some central Church programmes.
Dr Paul Gray, executive secretary of the Presbyterian Children’s Society, said Judge McKee was “deeply committed to its work, and was esteemed by both staff and colleagues on the board of governors”.
He added: “He was invariably judicious, compassionate, gracious and forward-thinking in the society’s work of assisting Presbyterian children and families in financial need, and he helped to guide the society through a period of significant change.”
Honorary secretary of the society Nathan Todd described Judge McKee as “a man of wisdom, integrity, clarity of thought and kindly disposition who set the tone, not just for the board but for the society in general and the governors, staff and recipients all owe him a deep debt of gratitude.”
In 1997 the society changed its name from the Presbyterian Orphan Society to the Presbyterian Orphan and Children’s Society, and again in 2016 to the Presbyterian Children’s Society.
A thanksgiving service is being held on Friday at 1.30pm in Killinchy Presbyterian Church, of which Judge McKee was a member.
He is survived by his wife Annette, children Peter, Neil and Judith, and by the wider family.