Mr Justice Paul Gilligan retires after 47-year legal career

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Tributes were paid to Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the Court of Appeal on his retirement on 16 May 2018, after a 47-year legal career. He had served as a judge of the Court of Appeal and High Court for more than 15 years, including several years leading the High Court’s chancery division.

His cases included the Apollo House occupation, the lead action concerning pyrite damage to homes and claims against the State by the McBrearty family. High Court President Mr Justice Peter Kelly praised his handling of the difficult chancery list and the Apollo House occupation. Attorney General Seamus Woulfe SC said his handling of the chancery list was a reminder of the importance of fairness and hearing both sides.

Other tributes came from senior figures in the legal and court services, while Mr Justice Gilligan thanked his family, colleagues and usher Ian Barclay.