Tributes paid to retiring 'front face' of Mayo Probation Service

Tributes were paid to probation officer, Judy Quinlan in Castlebar court before her retirement after 28 years of service

By Anton McNulty Published 18th Jun 2026, 21:00 BST Tributes paid to probation officer Judy Quinlan on her retirement | Local Library Tributes were paid to probation officer, Judy Quinlan in Castlebar court before her retirement after 28 years of service Sign up to our Mayo Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Mayo Live within your account.

Glowing tributes were paid to one of Mayo's longest serving members of the Probation Service who is due to retire from her position after nearly 30 years of service.

Probation officer Judy Quinlan appeared in Castlebar District Court for the final time on Wednesday before her retirement tomorrow (Friday) after nearly 28 years with the Probation Service.

President of the Mayo Solicitors/Bar Association, Gary Mulchrone led the tributes to Ms Quinlan saying that her final day marks a 'special bittersweet moment' for everyone who had dealt with her.

He thanked her for her dedicated service to the Probation Service and added she had become a 'de facto fixture' to the court having having soldiered on for years as the sole probation officer attached to the service before being joined by colleagues in more recent years.

Mr Mulchrone said that everyone in the court enjoyed the Delaware native's sunny disposition and that she was always easy to deal with. He added that she had to deal with people whose lives were often in absolute turmoil and she worked hard with people and would help the court arrive at appropriate conclusions and 'see the real person behind the offender'.

“When both solicitors and judges were left scrambling to get under the bonnet of what was going on, she gave us the background, the tragedy, the challenges and crucially the plan,” he said, adding that she was 'no pushover or shrinking violet'.

Mr Mulchrone wished her happiness and health on her early retirement and said she will be a huge loss to her colleagues.

Court presenter, Sergeant John O'Reilly echoed Mr Mulchrone's comments saying that Ms Quinland was a pleasure to deal with and always the utmost professional in her dealings. He wished her all the health and happiness as she embraces the next chapter in her life.

State Solicitor, Louise Cresham described Ms Quinlan as the 'front face' of the Probation Service and she doesn't know them without her. She said her absence will leave a huge void but added she knows she won’t be idle as she is involved with a lot of community groups.

Colleagues of Ms Quinlan were also present in the court who praised her work ethic, dedication and commitment to her clients.

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Judge Michael Connellan said he did not know Ms Quinlan but having heard the tributes he said he got a sense of how valued she was and wished her all the health and happiness in the future.

Ms Quinlan said she was grateful to work in Castlebar and was fortunate to work with so many judges, solicitors, barristers and court staff.

“Together we have seen the profound effect of addiction, domestic violence and mental health, as well as resilience, recovery and positive change. Thank you all for your kind words in support, while I’m retiring you certainly haven’t seen the last of me,” she said.

Court clerk, Breda Byron also wished Ms Quinlan the best in her retirement and presented her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the court service.