It is most gratifying to be reminded of the interesting and important aspects of my life and career. One aspect to which reference has not been made … - Patricia Bergin

It is enormously satisfying to know that nearly 30 years later I was part of a process which I have no doubt was pivotal to the establishment of a more accountable and specialised system for the detection and more importantly the prevention of abuse of children in this State. It seems to me that the community will remain indebted to Justice Wood for his remarkable achievements in this area.

Chief Justice, your Honours, Mr Barker, Ms Hole, members of the legal profession, ladies and gentlemen, thank you Mr Barker and thank you Ms Hole. I am deeply grateful for the generous remarks that have been made.

This is a wonderful ceremony made more so by the presence of my family, my friends and colleagues. It is, of course, not possible to thank you individually but I would like to say that the trust of my instructing solicitors in placing their briefs in my hands over the years has been enormously gratifying. It is that trust upon which a career at the Bar depends. For that I thank you.