Forcing judges to retire at 70 is ‘irrational’

An experienced district court judge has criticised Government policy that requires him to retire on reaching his 70th birthday.

Judge Kevin P. Kilrane made the comments at a special sitting of Cavan District Court on February 23 last just days ahead of his official retirement date.

“The Government in its wisdom has decided that the retirement age for judges should be 70, which in my view is arbitrary and irrational,” said Judge Kilrane, who added he considered himself to be in “reasonable health both physically and mentally”.

The Leitrim native made the comments following tributes in open court by representatives of the gardaí, the legal profession, the court service and the media.

Solicitor Martin Cosgrove described Judge Kilrane as a “serious practitioner” and wished him well in his retirement.

“It’s crazy that a man of your abilities has to retire just because you reach a certain age,” said Mr Cosgrove.

Responding, Judge Kilrane said: “My point is – why pay judges a pension when you can pay them to work?!”

Leading the tributes at the beginning of court and, speaking on behalf of the Gardaí in Cavan and Monaghan, Inspector Declan McGarvey acknowledged all the good done by the judge during his term on the bench.

“In particular, we would like to thank you for your stewardship in Cavan and wish you well in your retirement and your upcoming endeavours.”

Solicitor Jacqueline Maloney, on behalf of the Cavan solicitors, thanked Judge Kilrane for his service to the legal profession both as a judge and a solicitor for many years before that.

Wishing him well in retirement, she was certain “it won’t be dull!”

On concluding her last case of the day, solicitor Aoife Kelly also extended her best wishes to the judge. She revealed that she had worked with him as a training solicitor before he was elevated to the bench. “I always appreciated your help and advice,” she said.

Thanking everybody for their kind words, Judge Kilrane revealed that he was in fact born in a leap year – on February 29, 1952 – meaning he celebrated his 70th birthday on March 1 last.

He revealed it was always a pleasure to sit on the bench in Cavan “where I spent some of my early years as a solicitor with people like the late George V. Maloney battling it out”.

Judge Kilrane revealed that he would “love to stay” but conceded “everything has its time”.

The judge presided over district court sittings in Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal for the past 12 years.