District Judge Eamonn King retired on 31 July after 21 years on the bench. A full courtroom of legal practitioners gathered at Newry Courthouse to pay tribute.

Mr King grew up on a dairy farm in Castlewellan, County Down, and attended St Patrick's Grammar School in Downpatrick. He originally applied to study veterinary science but, after accepting a place to read law at Queen's University Belfast, a veterinary offer later arrived. He qualified as a solicitor in the 1980s, became a deputy resident magistrate in 1998, and was appointed a full-time district judge in 2005.

During his final sitting, Rory McShane, a solicitor, said the Newry and Banbridge Solicitors' Association had held an emergency meeting and initially rejected his retirement application, only accepting it on humanitarian grounds. Cormac McDonald, speaking for the association, noted it was an incredible achievement to remain universally well liked and respected after more than 20 years in Newry.

Prosecutor Catherine Kearns described it as a privilege to watch Mr King handle young defendants with skill and compassion. The court administrator for Armagh and South Down said many judges are respected for their knowledge and experience, but far fewer combine those qualities with genuine warmth, kindness and humility.

Mr King said his approach on the bench relied on common sense and life experience. He recalled the case of a 13-year-old girl facing serious assault charges for whom he granted a conditional discharge; she later sent a thank-you card. In his final year, he presided over a high-profile case involving former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

He intends to return to farming and spend more time with his two grandchildren. On his last day he was joined in court by his wife Sheila and daughters Christine and Sarah. Mr King described Newry Courthouse as a family and said he would miss the job, hoping he had treated everyone with the respect, courtesy and dignity they deserved.