Standing ovation and heartfelt tributes for Judge Gerry Jones as he retires

By Mickey McDonnell

Heartfelt tributes were paid at Monaghan District Court on Monday (May 18) to Judge Gerard (Gerry) Jones, who retires as a District Court judge this week after nine years on the bench. A native of Magheracloone in South Monaghan, he was appointed as a judge in January 2017.

Prior to that, Mr Jones was well known as the principal in his law firm, Gerard Jones & Co Solicitors, which, along with his wife Jackie, he built into a well-established practice in Carrickmacross. Hailing from a farming family, Gerry studied law at National University Galway before qualifying as a solicitor in 1981.

In more recent years he sat mainly as a judge for Dublin Metropolitan District, but would occasionally return closer to home while covering for colleagues at the Cavan or Monaghan District Court sittings.

At the outset of Monday's hearings, Judge Jones said this was his last sitting at the District Court in Monaghan, which was his home county. He said he wanted to thank everyone he had worked with as a judge, including court staff, gardaí, his colleagues on the bench, solicitors, barristers and Probation Service staff. He also saluted the members of his family, who were present in court for the occasion.

Judge Jones said he had built a great relationship with all concerned over the years, and that he would miss his time on the bench. There was a round of laughter, however, when he light-heartedly added that he would especially miss having court registrars call him for special sittings on a Saturday or Sunday!

The affable outgoing judge generated further loud applause after stating that he was not going to delay matters with a big speech, but would just reiterate that he regarded everyone he worked with very highly and wanted to say, “Thank you very much.”

On behalf of the Monaghan Solicitors’ Bar Association, Mr Paul Boyce said Judge Jones had always been very helpful, approachable and erudite in his dealings with the public and others in the profession.

And then, while on the bench, he had displayed “fantastic humanity”, which was a fitting trait for any judge. On behalf of the solicitors in Monaghan, Mr Boyce wished Judge Jones a long and happy retirement.

Barrister Sara Brennan, on behalf of the Bar and Law Library, congratulated Judge Jones on a long and esteemed career, both on the bench and as a practitioner. She had been an integral part of the legal community in Monaghan, and the high regard and respect in which he was held was truly deserved. Wishing a long and healthy retirement to Gerry and his wife Jackie, Ms Brennan said he had been a kind and committed colleague, a fair and patient judge, and, above all else, a gentleman.

Speaking for An Garda Síochána, Sergeant Lisa McEntee thanked Judge Jones for all his assistance down through years. He had been a great asset to Monaghan as a judge, and she wished him and his family all the best in his retirement.

Alice Gervin of the Probation Service thanked the outgoing judge for his co-operation with her and her colleagues, adding that he was now getting a well-deserved break and that she hoped retirement would be kind to him.

Patrick Caldwell, representing Victim Support, said he wanted to thank the judge for all his kindness, courtesy and help, and to wish him a long and happy retirement as a fellow Magheracloone native!

Bernadette Ryan, Head of Office at Monaghan Court Service, echoed all the other speakers in wishing Judge Jones all the best for the future. He had been a real help to the Court Service during his time on the bench, she added.

The plaudits were followed by a prolonged standing ovation from the body of the court. Many of those who were before the court, whether on warrants, charges or summonses, themselves took an opportunity to wish Judge Jones all the best as their cases came up.

The first of these had been Dermot O’Leary (30) from Knockroe Glen, Monaghan town, who was on remand for alleged assault and trespass offences. Mr O’Leary generated a long burst of laughter and cheers when he announced over a video link from Cloverhill Prison, “Judge, on your retirement — I’m retiring as well!”