‘The State Is Indebted to You’: Ita Scanlon retires after 52 years of public service

After more than half a century in public service — 48 years of it in Roscommon’s Court Office — Ita Scanlon closed her files for the final time at Harristown Court in Castlerea on Friday, October 23rd, bringing down the curtain on a career described as “remarkable”, “mind-blowing” and unlikely ever to be repeated.

For Ms Scanlon, who rose from clerical assistant to manager of the Roscommon Court Office, the farewell was as emotional as it was richly deserved. Surrounded by colleagues, judges and representatives of the agencies with which she had worked for decades, she said she was “overwhelmed and honoured” by the support shown to her.

One lesson, passed on by her former mentor Aidan Cashin, remained at the heart of her work: “As a public servant, you have to serve the public.” It was a simple principle, but one that shaped a lifetime of service marked by diligence, humanity and an insistence that everyone who entered a courtroom should be treated with dignity.

Ms Scanlon began her working life as a clerical assistant with Revenue in Dublin. Moves to Longford and Athlone followed before she joined the Department of Justice in her home county in September 1978 as district court clerk.

There was no formal induction and little time to settle in. “There was no training department; it was all on-the-job training back then,” she told the Roscommon Herald. “It was the best way to be — you were thrown in at the deep end.” She learned quickly. A newspaper article at the time, headlined ‘A Girl in a Man’s World’, recorded that she was among the first female district court clerks in the country.

Ms Scanlon said gender was never a major issue for her, crediting Mr Cashin, then manager of the court office, with creating an environment where respect mattered most. “I think it was because the boss I had at the time was Aidan, and he was such a nice man. I had worked in places where your grade really mattered, but Aidan had absolutely none of that.” His generosity with his knowledge prepared her for the leadership role she would later take on. “He taught me the job inside out. So when I did the interview, I knew the job already. I was doing it already because he was the sort who shared his knowledge, and he had a great attitude.” In November 1999, Ms Scanlon became manager of the Roscommon Court Office. Under her leadership, the office also became a place where others learned, developed and earned promotions of their own.

Josie Mulherin, Courts Service Western Regional Manager, praised Ms Scanlon’s “remarkable career” and recalled how their working lives had stretched from handwritten court minute books to modern technology. She said the values instilled by Mr Cashin remained with Ms Scanlon throughout a length of service the Courts Service may struggle ever to see again. She added that Ms Scanlon’s eye for fashion would also be missed.

The work of a court office is broad, demanding and often unseen. Civil, family and criminal law all pass through its hands, alongside the needs of judges, gardaí, solicitors, the Probation Service and the Prison Service.

Behind every case file, Ms Scanlon said, was a person who deserved care and fairness. “Accuracy is very important, as is treating everybody with dignity, no matter who the court user is.

“We’ve strived to do that and provide the best possible customer service to everybody, regardless of the reason they’re in court.” That human instinct extended to those facing one of the most daunting moments of their lives. “It’s nerve-racking sitting in a witness box, and if we can, we do reassure people before they actually go into court that they’ll get a fair hearing,” she said.

Colleagues described Ms Scanlon as diligent and a perfectionist, but also as someone who brought warmth and light-heartedness to the office each day. Courts Service CEO Angela Denning noted that the Roscommon office achieved the highest score for happiness, health and safety in both 2024 and 2025.

Ms Denning said she would miss “the twinkle in her eye” and told the retiring manager: “The State is indebted to you.” Conleth Harlow of the Roscommon Bar Association said the esteem in which Ms Scanlon was held could not be overstated. A fellow Roscommon Town native, he drew on the Roscommon Gaels motto, “Ní neart go cur le chéile” — there is no strength without unity — to describe the spirit she brought to her role.

Garda Superintendent Paddy McGirl praised her ability to ensure Garda colleagues were always properly prepared and that files were processed thoroughly. Governor of Castlerea Prison Theresa Beirne thanked Ms Scanlon on behalf of Castlerea Prison and the Irish Prison Service, while John Maguire of the Probation Service recalled a “fantastic working relationship”.

Yet the most personal tribute came through the story of a friendship that sustained Ms Scanlon at a defining moment in her life.

When she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997, she was forced to consider whether she could continue working. Her colleague and friend Mairead Conway had other ideas.

“You’re not giving up. If I have to carry you in on my back, you’re coming in to work,” Ms Conway told her.

Ms Scanlon said the quiet kindness of colleagues had enabled her to continue. “I have had tremendous support, and I’ve had help from my colleagues, done without making a fuss,” she said at Harristown.

“I would say my role as manager is to support the judges, but over the years they’ve supported me and allowed me to continue.” Judge James Faughnan turned that sentiment back towards her. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” he said, describing her 52 years of public service as “mind-blowing” and saying it had been a pleasure to work with her.

Looking back, Ms Scanlon spoke not of personal achievement, but of cooperation. “I’ve worked with fabulous judges. I always highlight the cooperation we got from the gardaí and the assistants. I would say we were all public servants working together as a team to serve the public.

“It was the gardaí, Probation Service, Prison Service, my colleagues in the office and neighbouring colleagues as well. Then we had support from the regional office. It’s very much a cooperative setup.” It was a fitting reflection from a woman whose career was built not only on accuracy and hard work, but on the belief that public service is ultimately about people.

Ms Conway said her friend and colleague would be deeply missed, but that the example she set would remain with those who follow.

In retirement, Ms Scanlon is looking forward to spending more time with her family and continuing to sing with the Roscommon Solstice Choir. She will be succeeded as manager by Olivia Bushell from Strokestown, who previously served with Ita as deputy manager.

For the Courts Service, Friday marked the end of an extraordinary chapter. For the many people who worked beside Ita — and the countless court users she helped with professionalism and compassion — her influence will endure long after her last file closed.