Tributes paid as judge hears his final case

Tributes paid as judge hears his final case

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular judge known for his “humanity and fairness”.

Judge David Smyth QC said farewell to Downpatrick Crown Court on Friday as a series of informal speeches were made ahead of his retirement.

Called to the Bar in 1972, Judge Smyth spent time working in London as a researcher before returning to law in Northern Ireland, being appointed QC in 1989 and a County Court Judge in 1990. His first tenure was Fermanagh and Tyrone (1990-97) before spending 14 years in Antrim ahead of his appointment to the County Court Division of Ards in 2011.

Speaking ahead of court business to a packed Court 1, his replacement as County Court Judge, Piers Grant QC, said it had been a “long and august” career.

He pointed out that when Judge Smyth graduated from Queen’s University in 1971 with a first class honours degree, it was “at a time when first class degrees were very rare”. Of his many legal appointments over the years, Judge Grant also highlighted his time as president of the Northern Ireland Community Addiction Service.

“Judge Smyth has real interest working with drug related offending,” he said.

Stating that the retiring judge was known for a quiet control of his cases, Judge Grant said: “He was well recognised as a popular judge. It is easy to be popular but it is much more difficult to remain popular at the same time as retaining the respect of the profession and the public.

“He was known for his humanity and fairness.”

When it came to sentencing, Judge Grant said Judge Smyth dispensed justice with a “significant degree of clemency and a huge understanding of the human psyche and the difficulties people experience in life”.

Listing cycling, hill walking, history, music and travelling among his hobbies, he concluded by wishing Judge Smyth a happy retirement.

Mr. Brian Scullion, chairman of Down District Solicitors Association, said they had heard Judge Smyth was a “fair man and an approachable man” before his appointment locally.

“We have found that,” he said. “We hope that you have enjoyed your time in Downpatrick.”

Prosecuting lawyer Laura Ivers said Judge Smyth was known “without exception in glowing terms as a man and as a judge”.

“The respect and affection I feel for you I believe makes me the appropriate mouthpiece,” she said, paying tribute on behalf of the Public Prosecution Service. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to prosecute in front of you.

“We all wish you every happiness in your retirement.”

Taken aback by the unexpected tributes, Judge Smyth, who hinted he “will be back” said he had relished his career.

“It has always been a particular pleasure to do what is to be regarded as a job, but I have never regarded it so,” he said. “It has been a vocation.

“It might have had its difficult moments but I have never regretted it.”

Thanking his colleagues over the years in the legal profession, he said that “with very few exceptions” he could put his trust in their professionalism.

Judge Smyth went on to thank the court staff at Fermanagh and Tyrone, Antrim and Down for always being “exceptionally able”.

“They are really the unsung heroes they oil the car and make sure it works,” he said.