TributestoJudgeHickson
WEXFORD tributes were paid to Judge Barry Hickson on his retirement as Circuit Court Judge.
Members of the Judge’s family, Justice Raymond Groarke, President of the Circuit Court; Circuit Court Judges, Chief. Supt. John Roche, County Registrar, Marie Garahy, barristers, solicitors, members of the court staff, as well as Sergt. Raymond Heffernan were present at Wexford Circuit Court on Friday last to hear tributes paid to Judge Hickson to mark his retirement after five years as Circuit Court Judge in Wexford.
Judge Groarke said that as Judge Hickson moves to the next phase of a most industrious life ‘we acknowledge a man of compassion and gentleness who is emphatic to the vulnerable, defenceless and weak in our society, yet is firm, forthright, constant and deliberate in upholding the laws and principles of justice, a judge of the most reputation, respected in the affection of all who have crossed his path.
‘ There are very few judges about whom such could honestly be said. You will not find a single person who had a bad word to say about him, because I’ve looked for somebody and so today the state loses a most excellent servant.’
Judge Groarke said that Barry hickson was called to the Inner Bar in 2004. During his career at the Bar he has been Chairman of the Employment Appeals Tribunal, and Chairman of the Garda Disciplinary Tribunal, both for a number of years. He became a mediator long before it was popular to do so. In May 2012 he was welcomed to the Circuit Court bench.
Robbie O’Neill, on behalf of the Leinster Junior Bar, said Judge Hickson was guilty of being a fine judge, guilty of being a fine practitoner and a fine colleague.
Martin Lawlor, of behalf of the Solicitors Bar, spoke of Judge Hickson’s illustrious career as a trade unionist before progressing on to the Bar through night studies.
Chief Supt John Roche said Judge Hickson described the gardai who appeared before him as decent and honourable people, but as Sergt. Heffernan said in four words, in reference to the Judge himself , ‘ he is a gentleman’.
Chief Supt. Roche praised the compassion and empathy he showed, particularly towards the victims of crime who come into a venue which can be very intimidating.He also praised the patience and compassion shown by Judge Hickson to the younger members of An Garda Siochana.
Marie Garahay, County Registrar, on her own behalf and that of the staff, wished Judge Hickson well, and also his wife Mary and son Brian, and his expanding role as a grandfather.
Judge Hickson, in thanking everyone for their kind words, thanked Judge Alice Doyle, whom he described as a wonderful colleague, his wife Mary, son Brian, and daughter-in-law Emma.
Mentioning some people, Judge Hickson said: ‘I see Brendan (Furlong) sitting down at the front, from The People Newspapers.
‘He was here 40 years ago when I came here. He is a wonderful man, a very balanced and very fair reporter, and I’d just like to thank him for his industry and his fairness during my tenor her for the last five years.’
He also thanked Sgt. Ray Heffernan, Garda Jim Farrell, State Solicitor, Kevin O’Doherty; Prosecuting Counsel, Sinead Gleeson; the solicitors and the bar for all their kindness; his driver Liam; Court staff, Martina, who was of the great assistance to him, Kevin and Stenographer, Aideen.