THE CHIEF Justice and the president of the High Court led the tributes to colleague Mr Justice Vivian Lavan, who retired yesterday.
In an unusual occurrence, Mr Justice Lavan was flanked by the Chief Justice, Mr Justice John L Murray, and by the High Court president Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, as he sat in the overflowing court-room for the last time. Mr Justice Lavan is retiring early due to ill-health.
Mr Justice Murray spoke of Mr Justice Lavan’s 21 years of “remarkable and important public service” on the High Court bench, noting his dedication to his task. This was attested to by the unprecedented numbers present to mark his retirement, he said.
Mr Justice Kearns said he wanted to state publicly the high esteem in which everyone present held their “valued friend”. Mr Justice Lavan had presided over the “immensely difficult” trial of Brendan O’Donnell, the longest criminal trial in Irish legal history, in exemplary fashion. He was president of the Law Reform Commission from 1998 to 2000, when he returned to the High Court to deal with many personal injuries cases. “His great asset has always been his humanity, sense of humour and his empathy with the frailties of others,” Mr Justice Kearns said. “That explains why people are here in such great numbers today.”
Attorney General Máire Whelan SC said much of the change which the country experienced during the career of Mr Justice Lavan had been brought about by him and his colleagues, especially in helping those with an inability to vindicate their rights. She noted he had been a founder of the Free Legal Aid Centres, whose work led to the establishment of the civil legal aid scheme.
Bar council chairman Paul O’Higgins SC and Law Society preisdent John Costello also paid tribute.
Mr Justice Lavan said: “I am undone by your kindness. When I look at the serried ranks of my friends it’s leaving me with something very special.” A neighbour had brought him into the Supreme Court 52 years ago, and he decided then on a career in law.