THE CHIEF Justice and the Attorney General led tributes to Mr Justice Bryan McMahon, who retired from the High Court yesterday.
Mr Justice John Murray said he had delivered many detailed and helpful judgments that had clarified the law.
Attorney General Marie Whelan SC described him as a “towering figure on the legal landscape” and said his retirement “will deprive the court of an exceptional jurist”.
For over 30 years, his co-authored work has been the authoritative text on the law of torts in Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of the Bar Council, its chairman, Paul O’Higgins SC, said Mr Justice McMahon had practised and taught the law in all its aspects. He paid tribute to his warmth, charm and wonderful sense of humour, pointing out he had inspired his whole family to go into law.
John Costello, president of the Law Society, said that, along with Mr Justice Peart, he was one of the first solicitors to be appointed to the High Court.
Mr Justice McMahon thanked all the staff of the Courts Service, country registrars, judicial fellows and researchers and his tipstaff, stressing the importance of the latter in the smooth functioning of the courts.