The even-handedness, integrity and skill of the president of the District Court, Judge Peter Smithwick, were praised at his retirement yesterday.
Judge Smithwick is retiring from the District Court to chair a tribunal of inquiry into the murder in 1989 of two senior RUC officers.
There have been repeated allegations of Garda collusion with the IRA murders of Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Robert Buchanan in south Armagh, on their way back from a meeting in Dundalk.
A tribunal to examine the allegations was one of the recommendations of the Canadian Judge Peter Cory.
At an event in the Four Courts yesterday representatives from across the legal spectrum paid tribute to Judge Smithwick.
Judge Smithwick described himself as "deeply touched" by the tributes, saying "kindness to the elderly is a virtue".
He thanked in particular a number of people and organisations, including the Probation and Welfare Service "which enable the courts to opt for a non-custodial option".
When he had been appointed to the presidency 17 years ago he felt a "sense of awe about what I was about to do. The work of a judge is enormously important in society". He said he had been enormously privileged to be president at a time of great change in the court system and in society.
Attorney General Rory Brady SC said presidency of the District Court was "one of the most demanding rolls of the judiciary".
He said there had been an "explosion of litigation" and a huge increase in crime which had placed burdens on both the public and the bench during Judge Smithwick's presidency. Mr Brady said Judge Smithwick had administered justice with remarkable "civility and courtesy" and wished him "every good fortune" on behalf of the Government.
Chairman of the Bar Council Hugh Mohan SC said Judge Smithwick had presided over "the busiest court" which "had the most direct effect on the ordinary people of Ireland".
He pointed out that while Judge Smithwick had been involved in many areas, he also sat "every day dealing with all types of cases the length and breadth of the land".
Assistant principal probation officer Anna Connolly said Judge Smithwick had shown "unerring courtesy" to the service over the years.
Thanking him, she said she hoped he would have time in his retirement from the courts "to smell the roses".