WARM tributes were paid yesterday to Mr Robert Sheehan the court representative of the Chief State Solicitor's Office on his appointment to a post with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Judge Cyril Kelly said if it had not been for Mr Sheehan the criminal court system would not have worked as effectively as it had. He would be a huge loss to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the courts in general, but he would be welcomed in the office of the DPP, where he takes up the post of third legal assistant.
Judge Kelly said Mr Sheehan was always gracious and had always been a hard worker. He knew the details of each case which came before the court, irrespective of the fact that 80 cases or more were listed on some Fridays.
Mr Sheehan, he said, never failed to have his witnesses ready for each case and counsel instructed. He was the "organisational feature" of the court and had delivered lists of upcoming trials to judges six months in advance.
Mr Fergal Foley, on behalf of the Bar Council, associated himself with the judge's remarks and added that all court practitioners would miss Mr Sheehan's help.
Mr Sheehan had been a "role model" for everyone working in the courts and he wished him well in his new office.
Sgt John Creagh, on behalf of the court gardai, and representatives of solicitors, court registrars and the press also associated themselves with the tributes.