Tributes paid to the late Judge William Hamill

THE funeral of Judge William Hamill took place in Christ Church, Delgany yesterday (Tuesday).

Tributes to Judge Hamill, who died at the weekend, were led by his colleague on the bench, Judge Gerard Haughton, at Wexford District Court on Monday.

Judge Haughton, who lives in Wicklow, commented that he had known the deceased all of his judicial life and described him as a ‘phenomenal’ judge.

The court heard Judge Haughton trace the career of a man he called his friend from his first appointment as a temporary judge early in 1986.

He spent much of his time as a ‘moveable’ member of the District Court, though he also served stints in both the Dublin Metropolitan district and on the Central Criminal Court. He also sat on occasion at Bray and Wicklow District Courts.

‘William Hamill was a giant of man in every way and every sense, physically and mentally,’ said Judge Haughton. ‘His knowledge of law was immense and, as a judge, he was phenomenal.’

It was noted that one of the major professional concerns of the deceased was the issue of bench warrants issued by the courts for the arrest of defendants who fail to attend.

Judge Haughton revealed that he had cancelled a couple of warrants that day (Monday) issued by Judge Hamill back in 2007, which were never executed.

The court offered sympathy to Judge Hamill’s widow Rosemary and the couple’s children, Louisa and Felicity.

Speaking on behalf of the Wexford solicitors, Cormac Dunleavy said he had been shocked to hear the sad news.

Judge Hamill would be missed in Wexford where he had attended courts on numerous occasions, said Mr Dunleavy.

Also shocked was the Wicklow based solicitor David Tarrant.

He told the court how he had been unaware of the passing of the judge until informed by a fellow solicitor on arrival at the sitting in Wexford.

Mr Tarrant said he last saw Judge Hamill in July and recalled a man who had a great sense of humour.

His words of sympathy to the Hamill family were echoed by Sergeant Gary Rayner, representing the gardaí, and by court clerk Ciara O’Neill.

Yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) sitting of the District Court in Wexford started late, to allow mourners attend the funeral Mass in Christ Church Delgany.