Tributes paid to Mayo probation officer on her imminent retirement after 28 years service

Tributes have been paid at Castlebar District Court to retiring probation officer Judy Quinlan, who is stepping down after almost 28 years of service.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said it marked a bittersweet moment as a colleague in the probation services prepared to "hang up her spurs" after years of dedicated work.

He noted that tomorrow (Friday) marked Ms. Quinlan's exact departure date from Castlebar court, and thanked her for her years of service.

Mr. Mulchrone said Ms. Quinlan had become a de facto fixture of the court, having soldiered on for years as the sole probation officer attached to the service before being joined by colleagues in more recent years.

He praised her Delaware drawl and sunny disposition, saying she was always switched on and always easy to get on with, despite dealing daily with people whose lives were in turmoil.

He said she worked hard with clients on a one-to-one basis, helping the court arrive at appropriate conclusions and helping all involved see the real person behind the offender.

Both solicitors and judges, he said, were often left scrambling to understand what was going on in a case, and it was Ms Quinlan who provided the background, the tragedy, the challenges and, crucially, the plan.

He said people like Judy showed why it was important to do this work properly.

Mr. Mulchrone said Ms. Quinlan was no pushover and no shrinking violet, and was never someone who couldn't be bothered to help.

She always put the client first, while keeping the court fully informed. He said her departure would be a huge loss to the colleagues who had joined her in recent years, and that her bright personality and fair approach would be missed.

He wished her happiness, health and good spirits in her retirement and for her travels, adding that her clients would miss her - though unlike many, she would be "happily departing out the door" rather than clinging to it.

Speaking on behalf of solicitors in Mayo - Mr. Mulchrone congratulated Ms. Quinlan, saying she was always a pleasure to deal with, utmost professional, friendly and kind in her dealings. He wished her all health and happiness as she embraced the next chapter in her life.

State solicitor Louise Cresham said she did not know the probation services without Judy Quinlan, describing her as the front face of probation and the epitome of what a probation officer should be, with a strong sense of duty.

She said Ms. Quinlan's absence would leave a huge void, but said she would not be idle in retirement given her many other involvements in community life.

Breda Byron of the court services also thanked Ms. Quinlan for her years of dedicated work and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

Judge Michael Connellan, speaking on behalf of the judiciary including Judge Murphy and Judge Lydon, wished Ms Quinlan health and happiness in her retirement.

Ms. Quinlan said she was grateful to have worked in Castlebar District Court, and fortunate to have worked alongside so many judges, solicitors, barristers and court staff over the years.

Together, she said, they had witnessed the profound effects of addiction, domestic violence and mental health difficulties, as well as resilience, recovery and positive change.

She thanked everyone for their kind words and support, and said that while she was retiring from probation, she was looking forward to the next chapter.

She added: "You certainly haven't seen the last of me!"

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.