News Publication Date: 19 April 2013
Before Court starts this morning I would like to take the opportunity to say a few words to mark the sad passing of Esther Richmond on Tuesday of this week.
It was with sadness that I learnt of Esther’s passing on Tuesday after a long illness. Her presence has been missed in Court these last few months and will be missed in the future. She has been a Court reporter for over 40 years and has a wealth of knowledge of Court procedures but perhaps more importantly and more pertinently as far as Esther is concerned a wealth of knowledge of the people that appeared in Court both as Defendants, Advocates, Members of the Judiciary. Esther knew not only about the people that attended but also their extended family and perhaps had a greater knowledge of the people of the Isle of Man and their association with the Courts of Justice than anyone else.
I am probably the least appropriate person to speak of Esther having been in post for a relatively short time and only on the Island for a period of five years but I am also in the unique position of having known her as a member of the Judiciary and also as a Prosecutor.
Esther was a no nonsense individual who didn’t suffer fools gladly and she wasn’t afraid of making that fact known, in fact I can hear her bristling now in the Press box as I speak. But behind that no nonsense exterior was a very kind heart but not just a kind heart but practical as well and in particular I remember her kindness when on our first arrival at the Island my husband was ill and looking for things to do to occupy his time. It was Esther who put us in touch with her brother Dollin and provided him with employment with the Port St Mary Life Boat Institution as a volunteer and also information about local work in the area for him.
I also remember Esther’s humour which I think at best can be described as being dry and in particular her relationship with Mr Moyle when he was the High Bailiff. She referred to him as “the boy”, but it was his regular asides and pointed comments looking towards the Press Box particularly when making observations about people over 80 not being allowed on the roads of the Isle of Man. Esther took it all in very good spirit and I am sure gave as good as she got behind the scenes. I also recall as a Prosecutor the look of disdain on Esther’s face whenever I said or did anything with which she disagreed and I am sure other Prosecutor’s have felt that look as well. Sometimes a look from Esther was worse than a look from the Bench but against that and again as evidence of her kindness was the constant supply of lemon drizzle cakes delivered both to the Attorney General’s Chambers and also to Police Headquarters.
She was, as His Honour Deemster Doyle said in his statement one of the Island’s characters. She will be sadly missed by court administration, the Judiciary, the Prosecutors, the Police and Advocates who appear before her. She will also of course be missed by her family and I extend my condolences to her friends and family, particularly her brother Dollin and his wife Jean and Esther’s nephews and nieces. She will also of course be sadly missed by her colleagues who have lost an enormous wealth of experience and knowledge.
Thank you.