Minute's silence at Letterkenny court after death of 'model judge', Marie Quirke

A Donegal judge has paid tribute to a ‘wonderful colleague’ following her untimely death.

Judge Marie Quirke, who sat in the Dublin District Court, passed away earlier this week.

A minute’s silence was held at Letterkenny District Court on Wednesday morning in her memory.

Presiding Judge Ciaran Liddy said he was saddened by the news.

“Judge Quirke was a wonderful colleague and upon meeting her you were immediately struck by her warmth, sense of humour and deep intellect,” Judge Liddy said.

“She will be dearly missed by her colleagues and by her beloved family.”

Judge Liddy said Judge Quirke was a “model judge known for her sense of fairness and compassion and treating those who came before her with the respect and consideration they deserved.”

Judge Liddy said his comments were echoed by the Courts Service.

Aged 60, Judge Quirke was the president of the Association of District Court Judges and was a member of the Judicial Studies Committee of the Judicial Council.

Judge Quirke is survived by her husband Alan, daughter Dearbhla and son Tiernan.

Mr Brian Barrington BL, on behalf of the Bar, added his condolences.

“I knew her very well, from her years in the children’s courts in Dublin, probably the most difficult hearings for judges, with long and protracted hearings.”

Mr Barrington said Judge Quirke was “unfailingly polite and kind and it was obvious that she cared deeply.”

He added: “She was innovative as well as kind and she remained firm when she needed to be.”

Solicitor Ms Lorraine Clarke added that Judge Quirke was a visionary and regarded as a compassionate and extraordinary judge.

On behalf of An Garda Síochána, Sergeant Jim Collins passed on sympathy and condolences and said: “It is a very sad thing when someone passes at a relatively young age.”