This article is from page 5 of the 2013-03-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
TRIBUTES have been paid to the late Seamus Mullane, a man warmly recalled yesterday as the “friendly face” of the Court Services in Clare.
Circuit Court judge, Judge Carroll Moran led the tributes to the married father of four and caretaker of Ennis courthouse, who died suddenly on Sunday.
Mr Mullane (49) from Corofin died of natural causes after being out with friends for a cycle on Sunday afternoon.
He previously worked with Aer Lingus and was appointed to the Courts Service in August 2008.
At Ennis Circuit Court on Monday, Judge Moran said, “We’re all in the most profound state of shock at Seamus’s passing. It is completely unexpected. He was very obliging to anyone he met here and he did his work in the most efficient manner.”
On behalf of the Courts Service, Josephine Tone said, “Seamus was a wonderful person. We are all completely devastated by his loss. He was a true friend and colleague.”
In a statement on behalf of the courts service, Ms Tone added, “As Service officer, Seamus was the face of the Courts Service in Ennis. He was well known to all who visited the Courthouse and a role model for all civil servants who deal with the public. He was pleasant, courteous and helpful to all. Ennis Courthouse is a busy and at times a stressful place to visit but Seamus’s friendly face at the public counter put people at ease.”
On behalf of the Clare Law Association, solicitor John Casey said, “It was a privilege to say that Seamus was a friend of mine. I was with him yesterday (Sunday) cycling back from Kilshanny to Ennistymon.” He said, “He did his job and did it well but Seamus’s interest in life was his wife Brid and his four daughters.”
Mr Casey said, “As a person to work for, he was brilliant and he was a true friend and, personally, I will miss him very, very much.”
On behalf of the Clare Bar Association, Michael Collins BL said, “Those of us who have the privilege to work at this courthouse are enriched by the manner in which Seamus carried out his duties.”
On behalf of the State solicitor’s office, solicitor Ashling Casey described Seamus “as a pure gentleman who never, ever allowed me to carry files into court. He would always come out to the car and carry my files”.
Patrick Wallace, County Registrar and Returning Officer, paid tribute to Seamus for his extensive work in the preparation for Elections and referenda.