Trim Court presenters Sergeant Tom Mahon and Sergeant Kevin Moroney praised for their 'Trojan work'

Two Garda sergeants based in the Meath division and who specialised in court work in the district court prosecuting cases on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions were the subject of tributes at Trim District Court last Thursday, their last day in the force before retirement.

Inspector Sue Byrne led the tributes, saying that Sgts Tom Mahon and Kevin Moroney had done “Trojan work in the force” with the judges, court staff, solicitors and barristers. She wished them well in their retirement. Both would be badly missed in the force.

Solicitor Miriam Regan, speaking on behalf of herself and colleagues/ She extended “sincere and kind regards” to them for a long and happy retirement. They and the legal profession had worked closely with the two men over a number of years. “We have locked horns on occasion but from her own perspective, and I suspect my colleagues would have forgotten about it in 10 minutes”. She wished them a long and happy retirement. She knew they would have a lot to occupy them in the years to come and wished them the best of luck.

Liam Keane, State solicitor for Meath, evoked laughter when he said that his normal practice on these occasions was to research the background of the retirees but on this occasion “anything I might tell you could not be repeated in court”.

He said the court presenters role had been established at Trim six years ago. It was a really good innovation and it had worked really well.

“As a concept, it is a good idea. But it only works well if you have the right person in place. We were very lucky in Trim to have had and have the right personnel involved and this was the case with both Sergeant Mahon and Sergeant Moroney. The reason it worked so well was the organised way in which they approached the role but also with good humour, calm exterior and an ability to laugh. These are good qualities and it will stand to them well in retirement”.

Barrister James O’Brien, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, said it felt that he had known the two men forever but he was sure it wasn’t that long. “It has always been a pleasure to work with them.

“From a work perspective they had always been people who were open, friendly and honest in all their dealings. Their compassion for people who appear before this court who can and have been very vulnerable has been outstanding. For people who may have felt lost, they found two men who extended a lot of compassion, respect and understanding”.

Judge John Brennan said that he knew that the legal system in Trim had worked very well. He knew that the two men were retiring at an age when hey were “full of vim and vigour” and he knew they would be successful in whatever role they chose in the future. He wished both of them well in their retirement.

Speaking on behalf of Sergeant Moroney and himself, Sergeant Mahon said that although they were biased, they regarded Trim as one of the best-run courts in the country and that was due to the co-operation of all those who were involved in the system. They were fortunate to have judges of the district and circuit court who presided over them with respect empathy and fairness. He said the legal practitioners had worked with respect and honesty with each other. He also acknowledged the work done by the Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Women’s Refuge and Victim Support, and the court staff. He said he wanted to acknowledge the work of Paul Murphy, court reporter with the Meath Chronicle, who records events in the court on a weekly basis. “I compliment him for the accurate and fair way he reports on what happens in the court.”

He thanked their colleagues in the Garda for their hard work and loyalty. He also extended sincere thanks to the gardai in the court, court clerks and court staff who kept the system running. He also thanked a previous court security garda, Brendan O’Reilly and his deceased colleague Garda Frank Glynn.