Court tributes to Garda O’Gorman

WARM applause sounded around the courtroom in Ardcavan recently as a familiar figure made his last appearance before Judge Gerard Haughton as a member of the garda traffic corps.

Tributes were paid at the District Court sitting to long serving Sergeant Charles O’Gorman as his 39 years with the force came to an end.

Colleague Gary Rayner pointed out that his colleague first came to work in the Wexford area in 1999 and he began working in the traffic corps in 2002.

‘He is now hanging up his speed gun,’ confirmed Rayner as he wished the departing officer all the best in retirement.

A similar sentiment was expressed by solicitor Nigel Allen who reckoned that the sergeant’s dedication was supported by a wealth of knowledge.

Court clerk Ciara O’Neill described Charles O’Gorman as a gentleman, who could be relied upon to relieve the stress of a court sitting with a joke or a smile.

Judge Haughton described him as a fabulously fair prosecutor who was always well prepared for court cases, well versed in the relevant traffic and road transport law.

‘I have never known him to be other than fair,’ commented the judge, prompting loud clapping from all corners of the room.

There was no speech from the man himself, with the sergeant simply going ahead with his final day caseload, which secured convictions for six errant road users with €2,300 in fines imposed.