A minute’s silence was observed in Derry Crown Court today in honour of a former Recorder of Derry who died yesterday.
Judge Corrine Philpott was appointed as a County Court judge in 1998 and went on to become Recorder of Derry in 2002.
All other courts in Derry were closed today as all members of the legal and court workers were summoned to the Crown Court this morning to be told Judge Philpott had passed away the night before.
Crown Court Judge Philip Babington, who had worked alongside her during his career, delivered the news.
Judge Babington paid tribute said Judge Philpott ‘loved this city and loved its people and always fought for this city behind the scenes to ensure proper judicial cover and proper court sittings'.
He said that Judge Philpott had been granted the Freedom of the City of London for her work with the Irish Society and the then Recorder of London and, in a lighter moment, recalled she would joke that this ‘allowed her to drive sheep over London Bridge’.
Judge Babington said Judge Philpott had served as Deputy Recorder in Belfast until ‘illness struck her down’.
He added: “It was a terrible illness, which she bore with great and typical bravery and determination.”
He said that ‘until the end, she was welcoming those who she could’ and said that his thoughts and the thoughts of everyone gathered there were now with her husband David, son, Christopher and her family.
A minute’s silence was observed in respect.
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