Tributes have been paid to Connell Melley, one of Donegal’s most popular and longest-serving civil servants, who is set to retire.
A native of Ardara, Connell is retiring after 47 years as a civil servant, with the last 41 years spent working for the Courts Service.
Friday’s sitting of Ballyshannon District Court marked his last as the court registrar.
Members of the judiciary, senior members of An Garda Siochana and other court practitioners gathered to hail Connell’s remarkable period of service.
“Today, I know what time flies means,” Connell said as he reflected on his longevity.
On his 18th birthday, just short of 47 years ago, he arrived, essentially straight out of school, to the head office of the Department of Justice.
He worked in two roles there during a five-and-a-half-year spell before being given a chance to transfer home on a temporary basis.
“It was to be at the very most three years,” Connell said. “I have had 40 wonderful years working in the District Court. What I could say would not be sufficient to say how overwhelmed I am today. I am so grateful and appreciative.”
He thanked all those who had wished him well and to those he had worked with.
“Particularly Deirdre Friel, who took that career break which gave me this chance,” he said, adding special mentions for Joe O’Grady, “who taught me everything I know”, Marion Doherty and Danielle Anderson.
He remembered some practitioners who have gone to their rest, including Peter Kane, Ernan Britton, Laurence McMorrow, Paudge Dorrian, Johnny Ward and Superintendent Michael Duffy.
He officially finishes up on July 1 and, quoting General Douglas McArthur, he said: “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. . .Over the next few weeks, I will fade away in the Donegal office.”
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said it wasn’t just the expertise, but the empathy Connell showed people for over four decades that marked him out.
“He patiently explained the process, over and above, to clarify matters to those who found themselves in difficulty,” Judge Cunningham said. “Connell’s kindness is well known as is his professionalism and compassion and understanding that he shows at every turn.
“The service provided to the people of Donegal is remarkable and has made a lasting difference.”
Connell Melley with members of An Garda Siochana
Judge Cunningham said one of the best attributes he showed was that he was the essence of discretion; “a trait that is hugely important in the role he is in”.
Judge Cunningham added: “He really was one of a kind and his departure will be a great loss to us all here.”
Judge Cunningham said it would be “only fitting” if Jim McGuinness and the Donegal team could bring Sam Maguire back to the county in the summer where Connell, who travels the length and breadth of Ireland to support them, has retired.
The President of the District Court, Judge Paul Kelly – who formerly presided in District No. 1 – dialled in remotely and described Connell as a “walking oracle and the epitome of a dedicated servant of the public”.
Judge Kelly said: “I will certainly remember Connell with great affection. He was a fantastic colleague but, most of all, I consider him to be a very good friend.
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“Connell is the most self-effacing, courteous and quiet individual you could hope to meet.”
Judge Emile Daly, the presiding judge in District No. 1 spoke of a decision of Mr Justice Hardiman in the Supreme Court when he said that State officials were not expected to be “walking repositories of the law”.
Superintendent Karen Duffy presents Connell Melley with a token of appreciation
“He wasn’t talking about Connell Melley,” Judge Daly said. “The knowledge is quite astounding, be it District Court rules or EU regulations, they were at your fingertips. Everybody benefits from that.”
Judge Sandra Murphy, who also appeared via video link, said it was a “very special day” to honour Connell whose hard work made long and difficult days in court pass more smoothly due to the way he organised the list and kept it moving.
Judge Murphy said she and others learned so much from Connell’s knowledge of rules, practices and procedure and said he could impart this knowledge on.
She said his kindness and humanity is “exceptional” and added how the way he dealt with sometimes vulnerable people was a particularly notable trait.
“You do things discreetely and beautifully,” Judge Murphy said.
Garda Superintendent Karen Duffy said that Connell’s years of service marked “a true achievement and commitment to the role.”
Connell Melley with colleagues from the Courts Service
“You put a lot of inspectors and Superintendents through your hands in very difficult courts,” Superintendent Duffy said. “The help, support and guidance you have given to colleagues; you have been an absolute gentleman to deal with. The knowledge and value you have brought to the Courts is unknown.”
Other members of the force in attendance included Superintendent David Kelly, Inspector Tony Byrne, Sergeant Oliver Devaney and Garda Claire Ramsey from the court presenter’s office.
Experienced solicitor Mr Diarmuid Barry led the tributes to a man he said was the only person in the court as long as he was. On behalf of the legal practitioners in the Donegal and Sligo Bar Associations, he said: “You have done the State some service”.
Mr Barry recalled how Connell has been known fondly among the profession as “The Oracle”.
He said: “He has a great knowledge of the practice, procedure and rules and reforms of the District Court. He was unsparing to the profession with the assistance he gave in dealing quiet queries for a minefield of forms.
“He did take any nonsense from us, or indeed from the bench, if matters weren’t in order.”
Mr Barry spoke of Connell’s love of sport, from the Ardara GAA club to the Donegal county team and Finn Harps. Connell’s love of sport saw him travel to Germany for Euro ’88 and was in Stuttgart when Ray Houghton scored the winning goal against England.
“A lot of people say there were, but Connell was there,” he added.
Connell Melley who is retiring after over 40 years working with the Courts Service
Mr Eunan Keaveney, Head of Office in the Donegal District Court Office, said Connell’s level of knowledge, professionalism and expertise would be a huge loss.
“It is irreplaceable,” he said, noting that Courts Service staff who travelled from Donegal, Letterkenny, Sligo and Castlebar was a mark of the esteem in which he has been held.
“Connell was a point of contact for people all through the Courts Service,” Mr Keaveney said.
Tributes were also paid by Leona Curran from Donegal County Council, Michelle McShane of the Probation Service, Chris McNulty on behalf of the local media and Conor McShane from the Donegal Fire Service.
Mr McShane said: “Connell is a wealth of knowledge – if there was more like you, there would be no need for AI”.
