MANY people retire from their working life with their colleagues paying tribute to their years of service, friendship and dedication – it happens the world over.
However, when a courtroom is filled for an “icon of the court” as he is honoured by the judiciary, barristers, solicitors and court service staff, one might very well take notice.
Ollie McCarthy joined the Courts Service as buildings manager during the time when Limerick Circuit Court sat at the Red Church in 2000.
For the next 16 years, the proud Limerick man would become woven into the fabric of the court.
Last week, days before his 70th birthday, Ollie lowered the flags, turned off the lights and locked the doors for his last time after all levels of society paid the best tributes they could.
Former High Court Judge Carroll Moran said that he loved coming to work every day in Limerick as Ollie would greet him with his humour and wit and “quite often insolent remarks”.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said that Ollie formed the “fabric of life of the court, and was always able to deliver the truth with economical clarity”.
Ted McCarthy echoed the sentiments offered in court adding that Ollie was an icon of the court, a personality and a good friend to all.
“He is the only man I know who could correctly predict the outcome of a trial before the jury had completed their deliberations – he probably knew before the jury had even retired,” Mr McCarthy quipped.
“It is a testament to the man to see a packed court room her on his last day. I don’t think we have ever seen that before.”
One story recalled by Irish Examiner Mid Western correspondent Jimmy Woulfe leaned on the humane side of Ollie, the one only seen at court when not many were looking.
“While Mr Justice Carroll Moran’s remarks on Ollie were quite funny, we must also make note of Ollie’s “humane’s side in the trenches as it were.
“During a recent sitting of the home repossession court, a young mother who was also heavily pregnant approached the bench to address the County Registrar on her financial struggles. She was pushing a buggy also. Ollie slipped out the door and returned a short time later with a chair and offered it to the pregnant woman.
“It was a simple gesture, but in a room that can be often quite daunting, it was much needed and appreciated for that woman,” he said.
For a man who would always answer his mobile phone before he left the court room, to the man who offered humanity and had a caring nature to all, Ollie will be missed he said – just then, Ollie’s phone rang to much applause.
