Tributes paid to Mr Justice Gilligan on last day as chancery judge

The judge, who was appointed to the bench 15 years ago, moves to the Court of Appeal.

Leading the comments, Mark Connaughton SC said the judge had always shown great courtesy to practitioners and litigants in person alike and had managed the chancery list “often in difficult circumstances”.

Mr Conaughton said the judge had “dispensed justice when called upon to do so at the very highest standards”.

Mr Connaughton’s comments were echoed by several other leading members of the legal profession.

Mr Justice Gilligan said said he was sad to leave his current role, which he said was the “highlight of his judicial career”.

He said the court had always tried to get cases on, and thanked the members of the legal profession for their help.

The judge thanked Paula Healy, who he said was utterly devoted to her work and put in endless hours dealing with the chancery list, and Ian Barclay, the court’s usher, who the Judge said had been exceptional in his work in assisting the judge.

Mr Justice Gilligan wished his successor Ms Justice Caroline Costello, who takes over the role next Tuesday, the very best.

Aodhan O Faolain, Ireland International News Agency Ltd.