Judge Bernard Brennan

Judge Brennan, a qualified solicitor, spent two decades as a judge, serving for most of that period in district 4, covering Co Mayo and Co Leitrim.

was appointed as a moveable judge in 1979, before being assigned to Donegal District No 1 in 1981 and District 4 the next year.

He passed away at his home near Tubbercurry.

THE late District Judge Bernard Brennan was remembered with great warmth at the sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court today.

Leading the tributes, Mr. Diarmuid Connolly, B.L., described Judge Brennan, a native of Sligo, as ‘an absolute gentleman’.

He had appeared in district courts in Co. Mayo back in the day when nearly every town and village had its own court, he said.

He had participated wholeheartedly in rural life and was universally liked and was recalled with genuine affection and warmth.

Mr. Connolly said Judge Brennan had presided in an era which might be described as ‘old school’. When the court business was done people retired to the pub where there were stories, laughter and genuine collegiality, which is perhaps evaporating these days.

He noted too how the late Judge Brennan’s son, Rory, is a sergeant in Mayo, while another son, Barry, is a solicitor here.

Judge Brennan’s family, he added, were in everyone’s thoughts as he was laid to rest today.

State solicitor Mr. Vincent Deane recalled being tutored in Blackhall Place by Judge Brennan who would lift the room and make everyone feel at ease.

He was, he said, ‘the embodiment of decency’.

Extending sympathy to the Brennan family, Judge Rory MacCabe said his late colleague was a man who enjoyed a great reputation.

Ms. Noreen Byrne, on behalf of the county registrar and court staff, also offered condolences.

The funeral Mass for Judge Brennan is being celebrated in Tubbercurry at 12 noon today, after which he will be laid to rest in Rhue Cemetery.