Tributes paid as Derry District Judge Barney McElhom retires after 23 years

Emotional tributes were paid at Derry Magistrate's Court as District Judge Barney McElhom retired after 23 years as Derry's judge.

Judge McElholm was appointed as the then Resident Magistrate in 2002 and has been the mainstay of Derry Court since then.

At a gathering in Courtroom number 2 at Bishop Street Courthouse solicitors, barristers, judges and court staff paid tribute to the judge on his retirement. 

On behalf of the Derry solicitors Paddy McDaid outlined Judge McElholm's legal career from being called to the bar in 1981 to being appointed a judge in 1998.

Mr McDaid said this was a courageous decision by Judge McElholm to join the judiciary in the weeks after the Good Friday Agreement. 

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The solicitor said that in 2002 someone 'thought it would be wise to appoint a Tyrone man to Derry'.

But paying tribute to the work by the judge Mr McDaid said that it had been 'transformative' of the criminal justice system especially in the field of domestic abuse. 

Paying tribute on behalf of the Bar Eoghan Devlin KC said the judge was 'a decent man and a thoughtful judge' who always showed concern for the victims of crime.

The Recorder of Derry Judge Neil Rafferty KC also paid tribute saying when he started out as a deputy judge Judge McElholm was his mentor. 

He said that Judge McElholm had been described in a comedy show as 'a national treasure' and that was apt.

In reply to the tributes Judge McElholm said he had 'enjoyed' everyday of his time in Derry. 

He paid tribute to the solicitors, barristers and court staff who, he said, all shared 'the common goal of justice'.

The judge said he always felt it was important to show that 'the courts could provide justice and rise above what was going on' in the wider society. 

No successor has yet been appointed to take over from judge McElholm as District Judge of Derry.