The Lay Magistrates Training Committee members

Pen Pictures of the Lay Magistrates Training Committee members

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The judicial office of Northern Ireland Lay Magistrate was established following the recommendations of the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Review. The intention is that the new Lay Magistrates will forge stronger links between local people and the courts in their areas, and enable greater civic involvement in the deliberations of the courts. They will bring to the process their individual qualities and attributes, life experiences and local knowledge of the issues concerning their local communities.

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The Lay Magistrates Training Committee

The Lay Magistrates Training Committee is a sub committee of the Judicial Studies Board. It comprises of a Resident Magistrate, Lay Magistrate representatives from each County Court Division, and is headed by the chair of the Lay Magistrates Association.

The remit of the Committee is: -

· To plan and approve an annual programme of training for Lay Magistrates.

· To evaluate all training for Lay Magistrates and recommend improvements where required.

· To occasionally attend external training events and provide written reports.

· To monitor induction training for newly appointed Lay Magistrates as and when the need arises.

· To liaise with and represent the needs of local divisions.

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The Lay Magistrates Training Committee members

Barry Maxwell (Chair)

District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Conner

David Moore (Presiding LM)

Seamus Bradley (Antrim Division)

Delia Devlin (Fermanagh/Tyrone Division)

Kevin Donaghy (Belfast Division)

Deirdre Kennedy (Armagh & South Down Division)

Jimmy McClean (Craigavon Division)

Alan McCormick (Ards Division)

Eleanor O’Neill (Belfast Division)

Valerie Von Hof (Londonderry Division)

Gillian Reith, Secretary

Tia Miller, Assistant Secretary

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Pen Pictures of the Lay Magistrates Training Committee members

Barry Maxwell (No pen picture submitted)

District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Conner

District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Conner was called to the Bar in 1983 and appointed as a Deputy Resident Magistrate in 1995. Mr Conner was sworn in as a Resident Magistrate on Friday 3 September 1999 and now presides in the Division of Belfast.

David Moore (No pen picture submitted)

Seamus Bradley

Seamus was appointed as a Lay Panellist in April 1999 and transferred to the Lay Magistracy in April 2005. He is also a Justice of the Peace. Seamus is currently Managing Director of Patrick Bradley Ltd and has a wealth of experience within the construction industry ranging from squad member on a Blacktop “gang”, to foreman, to surfacing manager, and to director. His qualifications include PGDMS, FCMI and FIHT.

Deirdre Kennedy

Graduate of Dublin University and student volunteer teacher to disadvantaged children in the city. Former Advanced Level G.C.E. English teacher with joint responsibility for Pastoral care to Sixth Form students.

Appointed Lay Panellist, 2000 and Justice of the Peace, 2002, sitting in Tyrone/Fermanagh and Armagh/S.Down Divisions. Developed a close and detailed interest in the circumstances and lives of Foster/Looked After Children through experience and study.

2007-2010, Chairman of Armagh/S.Down Division, focussing on strengthening the Division through professional training programmes combined with social, networking events involving full-time Judiciary and relevant members of the community.

Appointed to the N.I.Children's Order Advisory Committee as Lay Magistrate Representative 24th April,2010, elected Vice Chairman of the N.I.L.M.A, with the objectives of raising the profile and status of the Lay Magistracy in N.Ireland.

Jimmy McClean

Prior to his retirement Jimmy was employed by the Post Office Corporation as a senior manager in the fields of human resources management, internal audit, operational management and public affairs. He was also Secretary of the Northern Ireland Post Office Board for twelve years. Currently, Jimmy is chairman of the Craigavon Division of the Northern Ireland Lay Magistrates Association. He is also a General Commissioner of Income Tax, a member of the Fair Employment Tribunal (employers panel), a trustee of Mediation Northern Ireland, a member of the Pharmacy Practices Committee of the Southern Health & Social Services Board and chairman of the Independent Monitoring Board of Hydebank Wood Prison and Young Offenders Centre. Until recently he had been chairman of the board of governors of Clarawood Special School Belfast.

Alan McCormick

Educated at RBAI and College of Business Studies, Alan worked his way up through the family wholesale business to become Managing Director. Following early retirement, he worked in Christian Mission before being appointed Director of Operations at Belfast Bible College. A semi-professional musician, Alan has also been involved in youth work including Boys’ Brigade, and as a school Governor. Appointed to the Lay Magistracy in April 2005, he is married and a father of two daughters.

Eleanor O’Neill

Eleanor has been on the management Board of Cloona Child Contact Centre since its beginning. She had been a Lay Panellist since 1 April 1990, and was Chair of the Association from 1998 until 2000. She is also the NI Representative of Children Law UK. Eleanor has a history of involvement with Health Service SRN working mainly in intensive care. She is married to a Belfast GP, and is a mother of five with two grandchildren.

Valerie Von Hof (No pen picture submitted)

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