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Death of District Court Judge Marie Quirke

The death has been announced of Judge Marie Quirke of the District Court.

Judge Quirke was also formerly a Law Society council member.

Before being appointed to the bench in 2012, she had been a solicitor, practising mainly in family law.

Law Society 2016/17 President Stuart Gilhooly said this morning: "Marie will be sadly missed.

"As a solicitor and before her appointment as a judge, she was a fine representative for her profession and a strong advocate on the Law Society Council who was never afraid to voice a strong opinion but always did so with a mischievous sense of humour and an affable manner."

Regulation committee member

Before becoming a judge, Judge Marie Quirke also served as a member of the Law Society Regulation Committee, and was also managing solicitor at the Finglas Law Centre. 

Judge Quirke later served as president of the Association of District Court Judges where she focused on advancing judicial training and education.

President of the District Court, Paul Kelly told the Irish Times that Judge Quirke was “a wonderful colleague, who embodied all the best qualities of a judge – extensive legal knowledge, experience and expertise; patience, fairness, compassion and a deep understanding of the human condition.”

Condolences

He extended his condolences on behalf of all her colleagues to her husband Alan and her daughter Dearbhla and son Tiernan.

Constance Cassidy SC said that, for Judge Quirke, every single person, from the lay litigant to the most expensive barrister, had equal access to the courts.

“She was simply an extraordinary judge and we are all so sad,” she told the Irish Times.