Rory Hayden rests his case

COUNTY Cavan State Solicitor, Rory Hayden, is retiring after 30 years of public service. Cavan Circuit Court took time out of the busy sessions last week to pay tribute to the state’s long-serving prosecuting solicitor.

In his role for the state, it was Rory Hayden’s job to act on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in prosecuting cases in County Cavan.

It may have been an emotional day for Mr Hayden and his family, who came to court, were it not for his own inimitable good humour and that of the many professionals from various agencies who lined up to pay their personal tributes to their colleague.

The packed courtroom was an indication of the high regard and great respect in which he is held by those who know him professionally. Each of the agencies which have worked with Rory Hayden over the past three decades were represented: An Garda Síochána, the Cavan Court office, the Probation and Welfare Service and the Bar Association among them.

Many also shared personal examples of Rory Hayden’s good nature, generosity and the support he showed them over the years.

Diligent

Circuit Court Judge John Aylmer led the tributes.

“Unfortunately for Rory’s successor, he has set a very high standard. In the 10 years I have sat as a judge, I have very much been a beneficiary of Rory’s dedication and efficiency.

“Cavan is the second busiest court on the Northern Circuit and the oldest cases here date back only to last year, which, is a great achievement.

“He has done everything with great diligence and enthusiasm, and everything has been done when it should be done.

“Rory always used his charitable nature, human empathy and discretion. He was always quick to identify those who were down on their luck or in need of a second chance.

“For that reason, he may be missed as much by the criminal as the law,” Judge Aylmer quipped.

Barrister Frank Martin, who represented the Bar Association, also wished Mr Hayden well in his retirement.

“It is a testament to the man and professional to see so many people here today,” the barrister began.

“I notice there is no one from the criminal classes though. If you were in Rory’s sights as a criminal you were in trouble,” he added.

“Doing his work, Rory was great in dealing with us. He steered his counsel well in every case, Rory did the heavy lifting.

“He has been honourable and a man of his word to the last and he possesses the great quality of tenacity. You could always place total reliance on Rory Hayden”.

“Today is a time of joy and jubilation for his family on completion of a job well done. It is also a time of joy and jubilation for the criminal classes.”

Monica Lawlor, SC for the State, expressed “mixed feelings” about the retirement of her “old friend”.

“I once heard someone describe mixed feelings as watching your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new car,” she explained.

While she was delighted to see her friend take time with his family, she will miss her colleague.

“In 24 years working together, Rory and I have never had a cross word between us,” Monica Lawlor said.

Noel O’Gorman, President of Cavan Solicitors Association, was next to add his well wishes.

“You can be qualified to do your job, and it’s assumed you have legal knowledge, but do you have the qualities?” Mr O’Gorman opened with.

He said he went on to the Harvard Law School website to see what they listed as the qualities needed to be a prosecuting solicitor, and they included ability to work with all types of people, sensitivity when required, knowing the wrong one and the one who has fallen on hard times, fairness, credibility and trustworthiness and “because it is an American website”, Mr Boylan continued, “it added ‘and street smarts’, which I assume is common sense, which we all know is not common but Rory Hayden has each of those qualities”.

Mr O’Gorman, who went to school with Rory Hayden’s wife, said: “You are continuing the commitment your father showed as county secretary of the local authority” and ended his tribute by saying: “As it was an American website, I’ll finish by saying ‘thank you for your service’”.

Helena Kiely, Chief Prosecution Solicitor, Office of DPP, said “Rory is part of the fabric of the DPP and prosecution in Ireland”.

She described his judgement and local input as “invaluable”.

Ms Kiely cited an example of Rory calling the DPP office to enquire about sea-fishing regulations.

“We were wondering how we’d explain to Rory that Cavan is land-locked when he said he was covering the Sligo sessions for a colleague and wanted to be prepared. That was typical of Rory’s work ethic,” she said.

“He has been privy to a lot of sensitive information while in a very public, pressurised role and he has carried out his duty to the utmost.”

On a personal note, Ms Kiely said: “I will miss his sense of humour, and we were all saying in the office how we will miss the famous ‘Rory’s stories’, which kept us entertained but which are probably best kept in my head.”

Pádraig Mawe, President of the State Solicitors Association, revealed how when Rory learned he was married to a Cavan woman “he spent two hours attached to my ear educating me in all things Cavan such as the subtle difference between east Cavan and west Cavan”.

He went on to say, however, that professionally, “the over-riding sentiment is gratitude”.

He said only two other state solicitors in Ireland had served longer than Rory Hayden. “He has always been very generous with his time and advice and was always ready to impart his advice on difficult subjects in an accessible way.”

Joe Smith, Country Registrar, was next on his feet. He wished Mr Hayden, his wife, Liz, and their children all the best for the future. On Rory’s retirement he simply said: “You’ve given some service to the state, and you’ve done it well.”

Fiona O’Reilly, Manager, Cavan Court Office, said when she asked her colleagues in the Court Office what they thought she should say in tribute to Rory Hayden “the common theme was ‘thank you’.

“For the respect and courtesy you showed everyone in the office. You always had a pleasant demeanour but worked hard,” she said.

Ms O’Reilly went on to say that County Cavan was one of the first to introduce and embrace remote call-overs during the pandemic thanks to Rory Hayden.

Inspector Micheál O’Donoghue spoke on behalf of An Garda Síochána.

“From a garda point of view, Rory had great time and patience for everyone in the guards and showed us respect. He was very proud of his court and used to say: ‘Cavan Circuit Court: the best in the region’.”

Joe Sheridan next said a few words on behalf of the Irish Prison Service.

“From our point of view, Rory Hayden always treated prisoners with humanity and dignity.

“And it is also so important that we have had a friendly, helpful face and someone there to help and advise you like Rory always was.”

Laura Cotter from the Probation and Welfare Service echoed those sentiments.

“We’ve always had the steady guidance and patience of Rory Hayden,” Ms Cotter said.

“The cases we brought to Rory were the tricky ones and his advice has been amazing to us.”Rory is a true gentleman and so much fun. The work always got done but we have all said how great it is to have someone who also brings a bit of spark to your day.”

Patrick Caldwell, Victim Support Services, said Rory Hayden has always been “sympathetic to our cause and work and always empathetic and helpful to victims of crime”.

‘Many cogs

“I am flattered, humbled and grateful for everyone’s words today,” Rory Hayden said, “but I’m not sure if everyone is familiar with the penalties for perjury.

“It has been my honour and privilege to serve Cavan as State Solicitor, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Well, nearly every minute of it,” he said.

After 30 years of service, Mr Hayden who was joined in the Cavan Circuit Court room on the day by his wife, Liz and daughter, Emer; son, Neil; and brother, Paul; paid his own tribute to each of his colleagues as the “many cogs in the machine of justice”.

He thanked his family for putting up with the “long hours, late dinners and short holidays”.

“Now, I’ve reached the final verdict,” Rory Hayden said in closing, “A wise man once said you should never retire but reinvent yourself so I might come back as an unbiased juror. Or maybe, not.

“I rest my case and thank you all.”

Rory Hayden will officially retire from his state solicitor’s role on September 30 when he plans to work full-time in his solicitor’s practice Hayden Dolan & Co in Cavan Town. When all Rory Hayden’s colleagues finished their tributes, the packed courtroom rose to its feet to give a standing ovation and lengthy round of applause to the retiring State Solicitor.