Judge Éiteáin Cunningham says it is with “great sadness” that she is bidding farewell to District Court Area 1.
A native of Letterkenny, Judge Cunningham was appointed to the bench in 2022. District Court Area 1 includes Letterkenny, Buncrana, Carndonagh, Falcarragh and Glenties District courts.
However, she isn’t going too far as Judge Cunningham – who now lives in Sligo – will take a new posting in District Court Area 2, which covers Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal courts in Donegal Town and Ballyshannon in September.
She succeeded Judge Raymond Finnegan, who was reassigned to District Court Area 5 in November, 2021, as the presiding judge in District Area 1 in 2022 – and took up the post in June of that year.
Monday’s District Court sitting in Letterkenny represented her last criminal sitting at Letterkenny courthouse.
“For the past three years, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as the presiding Judge,” she said.
“It has truly been a huge honour and a privilege. It has been an opportunity to grow professionally and personally and I am deeply grateful for the trust shown in me.”
She paid a heartfelt thanks to those who made her journey “fulfilling”, including the legal practitioners whose dedication to justice was “inspiring and made my work all the more rewarding”.
Judge Cunningham praised the work of An Garda Siochana, from the Chief Superintendent all the way to the trainee Gardai. She paid particular tribute to court presenters and the inspectors who have prosecuted matters in her court and outside of it in liaising with defence lawyers and litigants.
Judge Cunningham hailed the outside bodies whose assistance have aided in the smooth running of matters, including the Domestic Violence Service, the Child and Family Agency, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation and Welfare Service, whose “professionalism, empathy and understanding have astounded me” and the members of the press for the “measured and reasonable” coverage of cases.
She also singled out the coordinators of the ProSocial Driving Course for their endeavours.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful programme available to educate and rehabilitate,” Judge Cunningham said, “Donegal has experienced far too many fatalities, leaving devastating impacts on families and the wider community.”
Judge Cunningham said she was sincerely grateful to the Court Service staff across District number 1.
“From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “At all times, we worked as a team. We never had a negative interaction and each and every one of them was always available and willing to assistant. Their professionalism and knowledge of law and court procedures is outstanding.”
She also thanked the staff from BAM and the cleaners who work in the courthouse.
She had special words of thanks for John Doogan of the court staff “who was full of mischief” and to Courthouse caretaker Liam Devenney “whose positive outlook and happy disposition have cheered me up no end”.
On behalf of the local Bar, barrister Mr Damien Crawford BL said days like this were usually held to mark the cessation of a permanent Judge; “ordinarily an occasion to pay tribute and wish you well in the camper van and a life in Italy”.
He noted that it was 1,126 days since Judge Cunningham was welcomed to the bench in Letterkenny.
“A fact that wasn’t recognised, but should be: With your accession, it meant that the two permanent judges in Donegal were both women,” Mr Crawford said. “That will continue after your transition and it is the type of development that we need to see more of.”
Mr Crawford said that Judge Cunningham was the first Judge who is a daughter of Letterkenny and her tenure was marked by “efficiency, courtesy and wisdom”.
Mr Crawford remarked that the current courthouse in Letterkenny sits on the site of the old swimming pool.
“You will have performed with grace in style in both and I have managed to sink in both,” joked Mr Crawford, adding that her appointment to District number 2 would make life easier as Judge Cunningham had “worn a hole in the Gap with the travel”.
Solicitor Mr Kieran O’Gorman thanked Judge Cunningham for the “patience, courtesy and kindness” shown to legal practitioners in court. This had ensured a “respectful and pleasant atmosphere” which “made it easier to carry out the job we did. We will miss you.”
He added: “Your professionalism goes beyond doubt”.
Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan, who was accompanied by Superintendent David Kelly, said Judge Cunningham showed “such professionalism” in her work.
She said Judge Cunningham’s endeavours had ensured that court proceedings ran smoothly.
She paid particular tribute to Judge Cunningham’s assistance to student gardai.
Chief Superintendent Sheridan made a presentation to Judge Cunningham on behalf of An Garda Siochana.
Padraig McAleer from the Probation and Welfare Service, wished Judge Cunningham the best and thanked her for her hard work since her appointment to District number 1.
On behalf of the local media, Mr Paddy Walsh said it was “great to see a Letterkenny woman do so well.”
Judge Cunningham is, he said, a fine example to District Court Judges and said Letterkenny people were proud of her rise to the bench.
On behalf of the Courts Service, the manager at the Letterkenny Court Office, Mr Geoffrey McGonagle, said it was a bittersweet day for the staff.
“We are losing a great judge but we are also losing a friend and a confidante to the staff,” Mr McGonagle said. “We wish you all the best, thank you for your hard work, dedication and patience.
“You always found time for the staff in the office to have a chat about legal issues and your door was always open.”
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