‘Padlock Pattwell’ set for return to Kanturk Courthouse
RETIRED District Court Judge Michael Pattwell jokes that he knew that he was known as ‘Padlock Pattwell’ during his time sitting in North Cork. And during his 13 years ‘on the bench’, there were many turns of phrase from the region that he was particularly fond of. ‘You had better watch yourself or you will find yourself up the steps to Pattwell,’ being a particular favourite.
Anyone who wants to venture ‘up the steps to Patwell’ can do so next month, when he will once again sit and hear cases of a different kind in Kanturk Courthouse.
Kanturk Arts Festival has invited the retired Judge to take up his old position in Kanturk and to hear poetry from the public. So if anyone wants to read a poem, comic verse, haiku or has a song tucked away in the handbag or back pocket, then Michael will be delighted to hear it.
Poetry Slam provides the opportunity for anyone to have their day in court in front of ‘Padlock Pattwell’ but in this instance the sentence will not be jail – but rather a round of applause. Equally so, there won’t be a probation report or community hours to serve and better still, no one will have to pay a fine.
Michael will return to his old chair in the courthouse for one night only to pass sentence on the literary miscreants who appear in the dock before him. Poetry Slam is a light-hearted event which promises plenty of laughs, and good natured heckling as well as poignant and comedic moments to an appreciative audience in an informal and historical setting.
Poetry lovers will be in good company with the retired judge, as he previously published his own book, ‘Flaghopping’ in 2011 which contains 71 poems touching every human emotion. When he was a mature student studying Law at UCC, a prerequisite was to also take on board Arts modules. He put his name down for English and soon found himself entertained and enthralled by Professor Sean Lucey’s lectures.
After working for 52 years in a host of occupations, Judge Michael Pattwell retired from the bench seven years ago. In a previous interview with The Corkman to mark his retirement, he said he started out is working life at 14 years old at Holohan’s bakery, and then fitting in secondary school, college and during his time in college, he rolled up his sleeves and worked as an ice-cream salesman.
He was sworn in as District Court Judge in 1990 and in 1998, he began work in Mallow where he sat for 13 years. He said at the time that he enjoyed working in all of the North Cork towns during the time that he served, and joked that being a judge was the longest job that he ever had. He also previously worked as a bakery worker, customs officer, a court clerk, businessman and a lorry driver.
In the interview on his published book of poetry, this reporter remarked that most people have two veils and for him writing poetry is one and being on the bench the other. With a smile, he said, “I certainly have two veils. If you talk to the people around Mallow who do not know me personally, I am seen as a hard-nosed, tough guy who does not have any feelings, but get to know me and talk to me about my mother and tears come to my eyes.” And during that interview, he spoke about his beloved mother, Anna, who passed away in 1997 and who features prominently in Flaghopping.
The Poetry Slam night on Sunday, March 18, at Kanturk District Court at 8pm will be one to remember and will be a night with a difference.
And be warned – Padlock Patwell had very little tolerance for mobile phones ringing during court sittings. Solicitors, Gardai, the press and members of the public frequently took on the speed of Mo Farah and either made their way to the door or else tried to turn their phones off to avoid a tongue lashing, confiscation, or the threat of custody.