Colleagues pay tribute to Dundalk Court Office Manager ahead of retirement

What appeared to be a normal morning for the Dundalk Court Office manager, turned into a mini 'This Is Your Life' for Denise Clarkin, who was surprised last Wednesday when she entered Courtroom Number 3 to find it was full of people to mark her upcoming retirement.

Circuit Court Judge Dara Hayes and District Court Judge Nicola Andrews were among the well-wishers including her colleagues, solicitors, barristers, members of the Probation Service and Prison Service and Gardaí.

Her career in the Courts Service began with a temporary contract in 1987 with most of it spent in Dundalk apart from stints in Dublin, Monaghan, and Drogheda.

Judge Hayes, who was appointed a circuit court judge three-and-a-half years ago, told how one of his first postings was to Monaghan where she was still manager: “Then I was assigned here and Denise had to be brought home to supervise me!”

Noting that she has been nothing but helpful, Judge Hayes stressed that the advent of criminal trials in both Dundalk and in Drogheda could not have happened without her work and she would be greatly missed.

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Judge Andrews recalled the warm welcome extended to her when she arrived in County Louth and said Denise was a great source of knowledge, who gave her a good understanding of how management of the courthouse worked.

Judge Andrews also extended thanks on behalf of all the judges who sat in District No. 6 before her.

On behalf of the Dundalk practitioners, solicitor Frank McDonnell, said with the introduction of legislation "from every direction" since the 1990s Denise has been described by others as the “oracle” and “go to woman” and that was their experience too.

His counterpart in Drogheda Paddy Goodwin, who said he had been friends with Denise since he was an apprentice, also passed on the good wishes of retired Judge Flann Brennan.

Donough McDonough BL, who said Denise was always helpful, courteous and friendly, added it was not easy to be a leader.
It took bravery and she had made all of them better at what they did.

He continued that they were lucky to be backed by the best court staff and office in the country, which was very much a nod to Denise.

State Solicitor for County Louth Fergus Mullen claimed that the Dundalk office was the envy of most counties in Ireland which was in no small way down to Denise and he acknowledged there has been a significant increase in the court workload.

Regional manager, Eoin Manning, who joked that the staff called her the “Subject Matter expert”, noted that the court office in Dundalk is now the amalgamation of three offices – Dundalk, Drogheda and the Circuit Court.

Staff had increased by a third and there was new legislation and technology and Denise is leaving behind a knowledgeable and dedicated team.

Best wishes were also extended on behalf of the Probation Service, Prison Service and Supt Charlie Armstrong of Dundalk Garda Station on behalf of Gardaí.

Responding to the tributes that had been paid, Denise said “I’ve loved the courts.
“They’ve been good to me and the people were good to me.” and referring to the court staff said it was not an easy job and not getting any easier.

She added she had learned so much working with everyone, and outlined how she began on a temporary contract because she didn't know what she wanted to do when she grew up, and “I still don’t know!”