Judge John Creaghan Friel sworn in as a provincial court judge

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By Laura MacInnis
Canadaeast news service

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MIRAMICHI - Miramichi officially got a new judge on yesterday afternoon.

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Laura MacInnis/canadaeast news s

Chief Judge Leslie Jackson watches as Judge John Friel signs the Book of State Oaths and Clerk of the Court Matthew Cripps looks on.

Judge John Creaghan Friel was sworn in as a provincial court judge at the Miramichi Law Courts building.

He was appointed to the position on Oct. 1 after Justice Jack Walsh was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench in Saint John.

Judge Paul Duffie, Friel's brother-in-law and law partner for 20 years addressed the crowd, calling it an "outstanding appointment" and noted the government's decision to hire a bilingual judge for the city.

Numerous groups had come forward prior to the appointment asking the province to consider a bilingual judge, including the association representing New Brunswick French-speaking lawyers who asked for increased access and service for the region's French-speaking population.

Justice Minister Mike Murphy read through Friel's resume highlighting his accomplishments.

Friel received his law degree from the University of New Brunswick, and was called to the bar in 1974 and worked in Grand Falls for 20 years. He spent the last 12 years in agricultural litigation but has acted as agent for the federal government for prosecutions under federal statutes, and did criminal defence work. Tom Prince, president of the Northumberland Barristers Society also congratulated Friel and welcomed him to Miramichi.

Prince recalled meeting Friel in the early days in Ludlow Hall at the University of New Brunswick and spending time with his other brother-in-law, Frank McKenna.

Friel was joined by his wife, children and grandchildren for the swearing in and spoke warmly about his new city.