Newry’s long‑serving District Judge, Eamon King, has been hailed as a “true gentleman” whose blend of legal knowledge, humour and humanity made Newry Courthouse “the jewel in the crown” of the justice system, as colleagues gathered to mark his retirement.
Judge King, appointed a full‑time district judge in June 2005 and to the Newry & Mourne district in July 2010, sat in Newry for around 20 years. On his final day, courtroom 1 was packed with solicitors, barristers, prosecutors, police, prison and court staff, all keen to pay tribute.
Lay Magistrate Stephen Fitzpatrick, reflecting on two decades sitting alongside him, described his approach as “summary justice at the cutting edge” and said it had been “a pleasure” to share the bench. “There’ve been funny moments as well, and I wish you all the very best in your retirement,” he added.
Barrister Justin Byrne, speaking on behalf of the Bar, said those practising in Newry had been “fortunate” to appear before Judge King over the last number of years.
He joked that many had had to adapt their style from “the Mr Copeland era to the Mr King era” but that they “soon adjusted”.
“One of the main things that I suppose all of us will miss are the contests,” he said – not trials, but the five‑minute chats in chambers which resolved cases, followed by “20 minutes’ craic” on everything from football to skeleton arguments.
Drawing a GAA analogy, he likened efforts to persuade the judge to stay on to Mayo’s attempts to keep star forward Kobe McDonald from leaving for Australia.
“When news of your retirement came through earlier in the year, there was a similar effort – ‘surely another few years’ – but, like Kobe, to no avail. Your retirement is well deserved… You’ve been kind and generous to us and you’ll be sorely missed.”
On behalf of the Newry & Banbridge Solicitors’ Association, Cormac McDonald noted that to sit as resident district judge in Newry for 20 years and remain “universally liked and respected” was “an incredible achievement”.
He wished Judge King well in his “other employment” as a farmer – “the way to riches and never anyone complaining” – as well as in following his beloved Down GAA, hoping next year might see them as Tailteann Cup champions.
Veteran solicitor Rory McShane, believed to hold the longest‑standing practising certificate in the room, placed Judge King in a line of Newry district judges stretching back to Dr Richard Wilson, Judge Petrie, Basil McIvor, Gerry Hearty and Paul Copeland.
“Every single one of them, like yourself, brought a common sense to the bench and an understanding of people,” he said, noting that Judge King’s years as a local solicitor meant he knew “their needs, their foibles, their mistakes”.
He light‑heartedly revealed that the Solicitors’ Association had held an “emergency meeting” to consider the judge’s “application to retire”, which was “rejected initially” – only for a “passionate plea” on humanitarian grounds to see it granted, on the strict understanding that he returns as a deputy district judge.
Solicitor – and contemporary – Gerard Trainor recounted a long‑running “relationship” between the judge and a repeat defendant who appeared in the dock “most days of every week” with a pattern of drink, arguments, police calls and assaults.
“Judge King had some sort of a relationship with [the defendant] because I was redundant in the court – they talked to each other all the time,” he said.
On one occasion, after yet another breach of bail, Judge King finally declared: “[Defendant], that’s the end of the boat. You’re going to jail… I don’t want to hear anything more.” The defendant’s desperate plea – “What about the dogs?” – prompted Judge King to turn to Mr Trainor and, say “Don’t you worry about the dogs, Mr Trainor will look after them,” and walk out, leaving the solicitor unexpectedly responsible for two “dogs…” akin, he said to “small heifers”.
But beneath the humour, Mr Trainor said, lay the judge’s “real skills” in the family court.
“He negotiated, he persuaded, he talked to families, and he cured many, many problems,” he said. “He had a particular concern for the welfare of children, and he always drove that home to parents.”
Prosecutor Catherine Kearns, now involved in youth prosecutions, said it had been “a privilege” to watch the judge handle young defendants “many of whom have really had no chance in life” with skill and compassion.
“You will be very sorely missed. A true gentleman,” she said.
Court staff also paid formal tribute, with the Court Administrator for Armagh and South Down highlighting his “remarkable contribution” since 2005, particularly in Newry from 2010.
“A judicial career spanning two decades is an outstanding achievement,” she said. “But today is not only about your professional accomplishments; it’s about the person behind the title.
“There are many judges who are respected for their knowledge and experience, but it is much rarer to find someone who combines those qualities with genuine warmth, kindness and humility – and you have done exactly that.”
She said Judge King had fostered a “family atmosphere” in Newry Courthouse, where every member of staff, regardless of role, felt valued and included.
“Your door has always been open,” she added. “You made people feel that they mattered. That is a gift that cannot be measured.”
Appearing on video link, senior counsel Conor O’Kane also spoke of his “legendary” humour, fairness and patience.
“You’ve been kind, you’ve been decent, you’ve been honourable,” he said. “We will miss you – a true gentle and decent man.”
Responding to the tributes, Judge King – joined in court by his wife Sheila and daughters Christine and Sarah – said he “didn’t like” being patted on the back, but was “overwhelmed” by the turnout.
He described Newry Courthouse as “the jewel in the crown” of the criminal justice system as he had experienced it.
“What do I mean by that?” he said. “From the front door to the cells, every person that works here works to deal with the people that come through this court with dignity, humanity and compassion.
“There but for the grace of God go many of us. We don’t know the circumstances that result in the person standing in the dock, but we never forget that they’re a person… to be listened to and dealt with with courtesy, respect and dignity.”
He insisted his job was “not law – it’s people… relationships and circumstances”, and that the role of the court was “not to punish” but “to redirect” and “give hope”.
Reflecting on his own journey from private practice to the bench, he recalled being persuaded to apply as a deputy resident magistrate after challenging a senior official about a prosecutorial decision “too late on a Friday night” over drinks.
A brief spell of shadowing was rejected – “No,” he told officials, “I’ll just go and sit” – and led to seven years as a deputy before his full‑time appointment and eventual posting to Newry.
Though he admitted he came “with some trepidation” after hearing warnings “never trust a Newry solicitor”, he said he had been “so happy here in Newry, it’s unreal”.
He paid warm tribute to court staff past and present.
“The staff here are unreal,” he said. “This job’s not hard when you have staff like that. I’ve never once woke up and said I don’t want to go to work.”
Looking ahead, Judge King said the arrival of grandchildren had helped crystallise the timing of his decision.
“There’s just a time comes when you have to make your decisions,” he said. “Somebody has to come in here. In a week’s time I’ll be forgot about – doesn’t matter. You’re not indispensable. All we try to do is be fair, be honest and be straight.”
He urged young practitioners to “trust in your own ability” and “never compromise your position”.
“Be true to yourself,” he said. “Do the best that you can – that’s all we can try to do.”
“I described Newry Courthouse as a family,” he said. “I will miss this job. I’ve loved it… I hope I’ve dealt with everybody in the same way I would expect them to deal with me – with respect, courtesy and dignity – and I wish you all the best.”
