by Paddy Walsh

TRIBUTES have poured in from all quarters for Letterkenny Judge Eiteain Cunningham as she heard her final case at Letterkenny District Court this week in preparation for a challenge on the bench.

Judge Cunningham is leaving Letterkenny to take a seat on the District 2 bench which encompasses Sligo, Leitrim, and court sittings in south Donegal. A special presentation was made by Chief Superintendent Sheridan to Judge Cunningham to mark the occasion.

At the outset of Monday’s sitting if Letterkenny District Court, Judge Cunningham was the subject of numerous tributes from members of the legal profession, the Garda Siochana, and court related agencies and officials.

Representing the Bar, Damien Crawford, B.L. declared: “With your accession, it meant that the two permanent judges in Donegal were both women. That will continue after your transition and it is the type of development of which we need to see more.

“Judge Cunningham was the first Judge who was a daughter of Letterkenny and her time on the bench had been marked with “efficiency, courtesy, and wisdom”.

In a light-hearted moment, acknowledging the court’s present location on the site of the town’s former swimming pool, Mr Crawford quipped: “You will have performed with grace and style in both and I have managed to sink in both.”

Local solicitor, Kieran O’Gorman praised Judge Cunningham’s ‘patience, courtesy and kindness’ while Padraig McAleer of the Probation and Welfare Service also extended his best wishes while acknowledging Judge Cunningham’s hard work. Geoffrey McGonagle, manager at the Letterkenny Court Office, described it as a bittersweet day for the staff.

Mr McGonagle added that Letterkenny was ‘losing a great judge and staff confidante’.

Chief Superintendent, Goretti Sheridan praised Judge Cunningham for her endeavours in ensuring the smooth running of court proceedings and her assistance to student Gardaí.

Responding to the plethora of tributes, Judge Cunningham said it was a ‘huge honour and privilege’ to have served in her home county having been appointed in 2021.

She commented, “The role has given me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me.”

Judge Cunningham acknowledged the legal practitioners and Garda Síochána who had appeared before her courts, praising their professionalism and labelling their dedication to justice both ‘inspiring and invaluable’. She offered a special word of thanks to court presenters Sergeant Gerard Dalton, Sergeant Brady, Sergeant Doyle, and last but not least, Sergeant Collins.

She praised local bodies, Domestic Violence Service in Donegal and the Child and Family Agency, who work tirelessly in providing crucial support in what, are very difficult jobs, for making themselves available to the court when possible.

Highlighting the issue of road fatalities, Judge Cunningham praised the Pro-Social Driving Course for their assistance in driving offence cases, saying: “We are extremely fortunate in Donegal to have such a wonderful programme available. Sadly Donegal has experienced far too many fatalities on our roads, with devastating impacts on families and the wider community. Having a programme like Pro-Social is therefore of great benefit.”

There was also particular reference to the Probation Service, saying: “Over the years, I have met many probation officers and must say their professionalism, empathy, and understanding have truly astounded me.”

Finally, she expressed her sincere gratitude to the court staff in District 1 including Geoffrey, Anita, John, Kathleen, Eileen, Laura, Marion, Alisha, Kim, Mark, Liam and Justy with special mention of John Doogan for his mischief-making personality and Liam Devenney for his happy disposition.

”They are truly the most wonderful office to work with. From the moment and hour I arrived here, they welcomed me with open arms and I can honestly say we have never had a negative interaction.”