FF District Judge resurrects Oliver Cromwell tactics

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

In a surprising move a District Judge and ex Fianna Fail TD has ordered a Donegal man to make the catholic haj to Croagh Patrick and say four stations of the cross- his crime? Calling a Garda a 'Mayo Wanker'.

In this novel interpretation of the law under the bedraggled Irish constitution it appears that the Judge insists that the miscreant carry out a catholic dogmatic act and report back at which point the Judge 'will know' if the man had made a sincere attempt at Cromwell's 'To Hell or To Connacht' policy.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0917/1224279094345.html

Apart from the fact that any drunken law student could get this sentence dismissed as illegal under the constitution it does rather reinforce the debatable nature of political appointments to the judiciary (Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court appointments are the prerogative of whichever party is in power).

I would suggest this Judge has but a nodding acquaintance with Irish law.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Update. As part of the Irish establishment's policy of making the Irish nation the court jester of Europe and beyond the BBC are now dutifully running this story on their main website;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11343518

May I ask what we can expect over the weekend? Breakdancing statchoos? Michael Mansergh proposing Cross-Dressing Tuesday in the Dail?

[Mick Tully]

It's a Hitler youth project (their old enough to become judges in this country now) to force the people of Ireland back into Church for the Popes visit.

[Seán Ryan]

The really sad part about this is that after a day or two, in the headlines, being used to magnify other faults with this messed up country, and it'll all go away, forgotten and forgiven.

The judiciary are a class unto themselves. And many of them need to be removed. They're not fit to stand in judgement of others.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Many of them are only in the judiciary as a consolation prize. No disrespect intended to those members of the judiciary who deserve to be where they are and there are undoubtedly those in place but FF in particular seem to regard it as a dumping ground for old favourites who they couldn't possibly trot out in front of an electorate.

[TotalMayhem]

Sounds like a solomonic decision to me. If the defendant is a catholic, what's wrong with the sentence passed? I'm sure he could appeal the sentence but if you're asking me, he's gotten off rather lightly: any person found guilty of this offense faces a maximum fine of €1,000 and up to 3 months in prison.

Prison? €1,000? Nah, Croagh Patrick, here i come. ;)

And the judge has point:


"You then might have a different impression of County Mayo and its people, and it will be in recognition to your fellow Irish people especially those in the line of duty."

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Would he have sentenced a Protestant or Anglican defendant to say the stations of the cross on Croagh Patrick? A Hindu? Muslim? The law under the admittedly ragged document the constitution states there should be no distinction between religions.

And that Judge would be much more comfortable squatting on a blanket near Kandahar.

[TotalMayhem]

Would he have sentenced a Protestant or Anglican defendant to say the stations of the cross on Croagh Patrick? A Hindu? Muslim? The law under the admittedly ragged document the constitution states there should be no distinction between religions.

And that Judge would be much more comfortable squatting on a blanket near Kandahar.

As I said, the defendant has the right to appeal the sentence, but if i was his solicitor, i'd tell my client: "Get a good pair of boots and suck it up." ;)

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

And a first year law student could tell you why you'd never be a solicitor ... It isn't up to Judges to invent their own list of sanctions based on whether their willie has a hood or not.

Presumably you would now support the introduction of Sharia law in Irish courts?

[Seán Ryan]

Would he have sentenced a Protestant or Anglican defendant to say the stations of the cross on Croagh Patrick? A Hindu? Muslim? The law under the admittedly ragged document the constitution states there should be no distinction between religions.

And that Judge would be much more comfortable squatting on a blanket near Kandahar.

Spot on. It's not about the harshness or lenience of the sentence. It's about religion rearing its ugly head in the justice system. It's bad enough, the judicial oath, but a judge's superstitions should never play a part in the administration of justice.

Had the judge received the reply he richly deserved for this madness, in the courtroom, it would have been contempt of court or maybe a harsh sentence in lieu of the pilgrimage, leading to calls of open bias - it just sets itself up to bring about injustice. Crap like this calls for ridicule and disgust. And imo it should be shouted about from the rooftops.

[TotalMayhem]

Crap like this calls for ridicule and disgust. And imo it should be shouted about from the rooftops.

You can try to ridicule the judge all day, it won't change my personal opinion that this fella got off very lightly indeed.

He was found guilty of being drunk and disorderly and insulting behaviour. Sure, the judge could have locked him up, just another poor critter for 3 months behind bars, who cares? Instead he had shown some sense of humor ("You then might have a different impression of County Mayo and its people, and it will be in recognition to your fellow Irish people especially those in the line of duty.") and sent the defendant off to Croagh Patrick. Fair play to him.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

If I were the defendant's solicitor I'd be tempted to base an appeal around the fact that the defendant was telling the truth to the Garda.

As long as the Garda was from Mayo there is a very high probability that he also at one time or another has had a wank.

Therefore, your honours, unless the Garda can prove he's never touched himself in that way or hails from another county then the charge should be dismissed.

[TotalMayhem]

Don't be ridiculous, or it's To Connacht for you! ;)

It's too depressing, going for pints, back later.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

The sensible course of action for this Judge was to look at the circumstances of the case, check on the defendant's record and as I believe he had no prior convictions fine him and bound him over to keep the peace adding a few choice words about a custodial sentence should the defendant appear before a court on a similar charge in future.

Instead the Judge appeared to suffer an attack of early dementia. He has brought the judicial system in Ireland into disrepute and made the country a laughing stock in the international media by exercising his own mental jollies.

He has neatly demonstrated a failure in his own understanding of the law and in public. His peers should be noting this and asking themselves whether he is a suitable person to be seated on the bench.

If he wants to be a priest he should resign and join the priesthood where he can exercise canon law all he likes as long as it does not contravene the law of the land.

He has a duty to uphold the law not exercise his own prejudices. Rule number one for judges at any level.

[Baron von Biffo]

In a surprising move a District Judge and ex Fianna Fail TD has ordered a Donegal man to make the catholic haj to Croagh Patrick and say four stations of the cross- his crime? Calling a Garda a 'Mayo Wanker'.

In this novel interpretation of the law under the bedraggled Irish constitution it appears that the Judge insists that the miscreant carry out a catholic dogmatic act and report back at which point the Judge 'will know' if the man had made a sincere attempt at Cromwell's 'To Hell or To Connacht' policy.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0917/1224279094345.html

Apart from the fact that any drunken law student could get this sentence dismissed as illegal under the constitution it does rather reinforce the debatable nature of political appointments to the judiciary (Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court appointments are the prerogative of whichever party is in power).

I would suggest this Judge has but a nodding acquaintance with Irish law.

This sentence is truly appalling but we have a religious constitution so we can't be too surprised at the occasional overt use of state power to force religious observance on the citizenry. It underscores the need for a new constitution.

Your reference to the judge as "FF District Judge.." is wrong. There's no reason to suggest political favouritism or motivation in this or any other case involving the said judge. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a judge having been a member/supporter of a particular party. We are very fortunate in having a judiciary that has been blind to party politics.

[5intheface]

Did the state offer any evidence that the Gard wasn't a Wanker?

[Christy Walsh]

In a surprising move a District Judge and ex Fianna Fail TD has ordered a Donegal man to make the catholic haj to Croagh Patrick and say four stations of the cross- his crime? Calling a Garda a 'Mayo Wanker'.

In this novel interpretation of the law under the bedraggled Irish constitution it appears that the Judge insists that the miscreant carry out a catholic dogmatic act and report back at which point the Judge 'will know' if the man had made a sincere attempt at Cromwell's 'To Hell or To Connacht' policy.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0917/1224279094345.html

Apart from the fact that any drunken law student could get this sentence dismissed as illegal under the constitution it does rather reinforce the debatable nature of political appointments to the judiciary (Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court appointments are the prerogative of whichever party is in power).

I would suggest this Judge has but a nodding acquaintance with Irish law.

It could be a breach of Convention Articles 8 & 10 --privacy rights, freedom of expression and freedom of conscience(especially if he is not catholic)

[TotalMayhem]

Did the state offer any evidence that the Gard wasn't a Wanker?

Now that's pathetic.

You want the man sentenced by the letter of the law and sent to prison for 3 months? I'm pretty sure the Judge was well aware of his options yet he chose to pass a sentence that serves justice and doesn't really hurt anybody. The man was lucky to find a judge with brains and a good sense of humour! Get a grip and shove your political correctness where the sun don't shine. you guys are much scarier than a 7% bond spread.

[C. Flower]

Now that's pathetic.

You want the man sentenced by the letter of the law and sent to prison for 3 months? I'm pretty sure the Judge was well aware of his options yet he chose to pass a sentence that serves justice and doesn't really hurt anybody. The man was lucky to find a judge with brains and a good sense of humour! Get a grip and shove your political correctness where the sun don't shine. you guys are much scarier than a 7% bond spread.

Funny, but nah....

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

This sentence is truly appalling but we have a religious constitution so we can't be too surprised at the occasional overt use of state power to force religious observance on the citizenry. It underscores the need for a new constitution.

Your reference to the judge as "FF District Judge.." is wrong. There's no reason to suggest political favouritism or motivation in this or any other case involving the said judge. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a judge having been a member/supporter of a particular party. We are very fortunate in having a judiciary that has been blind to party politics.

We agree on the first part of your post but on the second I shall in future be referring to 'FF Judges' where they were appointed by that party. I think we've disagree before on the somewhat dodgy separation of the judiciary from party patronage in Ireland.

From the Supreme Court through to the High Court, Circuit and District Courts there are political placemen installed as judges. The appearance of respectability is given by the little system of a list of suitable people being placed before the Office of the Taoiseach. That list is drawn up by the party in power.

Its a farce like much else in the current model of Irish 'democracy' and you don't have to scratch very far beneath the surface to see the placemen.

The chap we're discussing here is a former FF TD.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Did the state offer any evidence that the Gard wasn't a Wanker?

Heh- there's acres of fun and mischief in this court ruling if any law student wants to make a name for himself...

There's only two kinds of people in the world past puberty and thats wankers and liars. People are either one or the other.

[Andrew49]

Judge Hughes is a twin from a well known family of 13 from Westport. He is married to Maria, and has four children, Colin, Emmet, Sarah and Donal. He qualified as a solicitor in 1975 and also served on Mayo Council. He was elected to the Dáil in 1992 serving until 1997. He is a keen sea angler and in his youth was a keen athlete and ran the Dublin City Marathon in 1984 with his seven brothers, which resulted in their entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

A new judge has warned that he has
"a short fuse" when it comes to long drawn out arguments. Donegal's new District Court Judge, Seamus Hughes, a former TD and State Solicitor in his native county of Mayo, spent his first day on the bench in the county when he sat during Letterkenny District Court yesterday. He takes over in District No.1 from Judge Kevin Kilrane who, in roughly 14 months managed to clear a huge backlog of some 10,000 cases in Donegal. He was welcomed to the court by the county's most senior solicitor, Paudge Dorrian, who said the new judge had dedicated his life to
"protecting the public".

Mr Dorrian added:
"It is a pleasure to welcome you here on behalf of my colleagues. I know you have served the public very well and have dedicated your life to the protection of the public. You are now a person that will mould the lives of transgressors who have fallen foul of the law in this jurisdiction, but the lists are in pristine condition and you will have the benefit of coming into the district with exceptional court staff, "

State Solicitor, Ciaran Liddy, also welcomed the new Judge saying he should explore the county and enjoy what it has to offer. Garda Inspector Pat O'Donnell welcomed the new judge on his first day in District No.1. Judge Hughes thanked everyone for their comments and said he was not going to speak at length due to a recent bout of laryngitis. He said he was looking forward to working with the Donegal legal practitioners.


"These practitioners come with a very deserved reputation. Some of my colleagues in Mayo wished me well and raised an eyebrow, but the procedures brought to this court by Judge Kevin Kilrane have left the lists updated. We all want to be efficient in the interest of the legal profession, the gardai and those before the court. But let's not argue the point. I will be courteous but I can have a short fuse. There are other courts to see if my decisions are correct,"

- - - - - -

[Baron von Biffo]

I'm pretty sure the Judge was well aware of his options yet he chose to pass a sentence that serves justice and doesn't really hurt anybody.

When judges start passing religious sentences it hurts the whole country. Ireland isn't a theocracy.

[Baron von Biffo]

We agree on the first part of your post but on the second I shall in future be referring to 'FF Judges' where they were appointed by that party. I think we've disagree before on the somewhat dodgy separation of the judiciary from party patronage in Ireland.

From the Supreme Court through to the High Court, Circuit and District Courts there are political placemen installed as judges. The appearance of respectability is given by the little system of a list of suitable people being placed before the Office of the Taoiseach. That list is drawn up by the party in power.

Its a farce like much else in the current model of Irish 'democracy' and you don't have to scratch very far beneath the surface to see the placemen.

The chap we're discussing here is a former FF TD.

I'm not going to waste time and bandwidth going round in circles on this with you again but I will point out that we have absolutely no history whatsoever of the judiciary showing any party political bias.

There isn't any political element at all in the present case so the reference to the political past of the judge is just cheap agenda pushing.

[5intheface]

Now that's pathetic.

You want the man sentenced by the letter of the law and sent to prison for 3 months? I'm pretty sure the Judge was well aware of his options yet he chose to pass a sentence that serves justice and doesn't really hurt anybody. The man was lucky to find a judge with brains and a good sense of humour! Get a grip and shove your political correctness where the sun don't shine. you guys are much scarier than a 7% bond spread.

Yeah, 'cause the Gardaí in Donegal have such a high reputation. :D

So objecting to a Judge who passes a sentence based on his own religious views is political correctness? Insane.

And 3 months for calling someone a wanker? mmm, that's the sort of country we'd all like to live in. Get a hold of it!

[Andrew49]

When judges start passing religious sentences it hurts the whole country. Ireland isn't a theocracy.

It's an astonishing story really. On first hearing of it I thought: 'that's a novel approach to sentencing' but immediately said 'WTF!'. We're not a theocracy and I wonder will this judge be overturned? Are there are brave briefs out there? The fact that I ask that is probably an indication of the state of the legal profession in Ireland.

In a theocracy punishments ALWAYS have a religious side to them. I know this because I lived in a theocracy for a number of years. Punishments were public and preceded by prayers, threats and verbal humiliations. Immediately after the punishments, more prayers were said, more threats were issued and the verbal humiliations continued ..... but enough about the Industrial Schools.....

[Rich]

Neither is appropriate. The sentence is a joke, and the Garda should be able to have some idiot call him a wanker without wasting the courts time and States resources.

Now if the Garda was not, in fact, from Mayo, well that would change the whole complexion of things .... ;)

[disability student]

The really sad part about this is that after a day or two, in the headlines, being used to magnify other faults with this messed up country, and it'll all go away, forgotten and forgiven.

[QUOTE]The judiciary are a class unto themselves. And many of them need to be removed. They're not fit to stand in judgement of others.

Many of the Judges were FF appointees as FF were in power for at least 12 years. I suspected that some judges were into law themselves when it comes to making decisions. Some of them were bizarre and unrational. I recall one Judge in westmeath (not sure??) who threaten to strike out all drink driving cases irrespective of the history of each case (Each case is quite different from one another)

I believe there should be a legalisation governing the behaviour of the Judges and it should include a sacking offence for misconduct and irrational behaviour etc in the case of Judge Curtin & Sheedy case etc.

[Seán Ryan]

Many of the Judges were FF appointees as FF were in power for at least 12 years. I suspected that some judges were into law themselves when it comes to making decisions. Some of them were bizarre and unrational. I recall one Judge in westmeath (not sure??) who threaten to strike out all drink driving cases irrespective of the history of each case (Each case is quite different from one another)

I believe there should be a legalisation governing the behaviour of the Judges and it should include a sacking offence for misconduct and irrational behaviour etc in the case of Judge Curtin & Sheedy case etc.

I've witnessed some pretty mental stuff in courtrooms. I was once dragged bodily out of a courtroom in Galway by the gardaí on the orders of Judge Mary Fahy, for refusing to comply with her demand that I put away my pen and notebook and not take notes of the proceedings. The gardaí concerned were very embarrassed and apologised to me outside. Phoenix magazine described the affair as a "circus" and referred to Fahy as the "ringmaster."

A lot of these idiots make it up as they go along. That's not acceptable.

[disability student]

I've witnessed some pretty mental stuff in courtrooms. I was once dragged bodily out of a courtroom in Galway by the gardaí on the orders of Judge Mary Fahy, for refusing to comply with her demand that I put away my pen and notebook and not take notes of the proceedings. The gardaí concerned were very embarrassed and apologised to me outside. Phoenix magazine described the affair as a "circus" and referred to Fahy as the "ringmaster."

A lot of these idiots make it up as they go along. That's not acceptable.

Was that the same judge who released re Gerard Barry when the gardai were furious re his release which had a cause and effect later??:mad:

[Seán Ryan]

Was that the same judge who released re Gerard Barry when the gardai were furious re his release which had a cause and effect later??:mad:

She was definitely involved when he was first arrested for the murder - she remanded him in custody. I'm not sure if she released him at any time.

[Binn Beal]

In taking the oath in court, wouldn't the defendant have declared his religion? If I'm not mistaken there's a choice of Old Testament (for Jews), New Testament (for Christians) and affirminig for adults.
Of course, he could have been a **** in which case the judge could have sent him back to his own country.

[homer]

Judge Hughes was before appointment a very experienced solicitor - having practised in Mayo for about 30 years,most recently a State Solicitor.

The Defendant had the option of going for a judicial review or filing an appeal to the Circuit Court.

Croagh Patrick is not an exclusively Catholic place of pilgrimage. In fact local tradition and recent archaeological research indicates that people were climbing it to worship long before St Patrick got there.

[C. Flower]

Judge Hughes was before appointment a very experienced solicitor - having practised in Mayo for about 30 years,most recently a State Solicitor.

The Defendant had the option of going for a judicial review or filing an appeal to the Circuit Court.

Croagh Patrick is not an exclusively Catholic place of pilgrimage. In fact local tradition and recent archaeological research indicates that people were climbing it to worship long before St Patrick got there.

When I first heard the report, I had the impression that it was just a nice, if tough, day's climb was involved. When I read the report it was clear that the defendant has to "do four stations" and pray, and that the process is a pilgrimage.

But Court reports are often very sketchy. It's quite possible that the defendant was asked what his religion was.

Judges on the Circuit use all manner of random sentences from the poor box to washing streets down. Apparently they don't use Community Service as a sentence often, which is a shame, as it can mean doing useful work instead of a jail sentence and apparently is less likely to lock someone into an endless cycle of crime. It also must be a lot cheaper than a jail sentence.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

I'm not going to waste time and bandwidth going round in circles on this with you again but I will point out that we have absolutely no history whatsoever of the judiciary showing any party political bias.

There isn't any political element at all in the present case so the reference to the political past of the judge is just cheap agenda pushing.

Firstly we have been down this road before and you prefer the theoretical separation in Ireland between the government and the judiciary. I prefer to look up appointments and see who appointed them. Next you'll be telling me that all those in political office in Ireland with 'barrister' after their name have all practised as solicitors first;)

I'm happy to put 'FG Judge' before any FG or 'Labour Judge' against any such names that come up. I suspect the 'FF' part will be quite busy though. I think I remember asking you to look up judicial appointments across the Supreme Court and see who they are and which parties they are affiliated with. But you seem reluctant to depart from the theory.

I'll ask you a question. Is it true or not that the Department of the Taoiseach has any role in the appointment of Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court Judges?

[TotalMayhem]

But Court reports are often very sketchy. It's quite possible that the defendant was asked what his religion was.

Judges on the Circuit use all manner of random sentences from the poor box to washing streets down. Apparently they don't use Community Service as a sentence often, which is a shame, as it can mean doing useful work instead of a jail sentence and apparently is less likely to lock someone into an endless cycle of crime. It also must be a lot cheaper than a jail sentence.

I am pretty sure they struck a deal and the defendant or his solicitor as well as the prosecution were asked if they would indeed accept such sentence as the law doesn't really provide for it. If either party would have objected, the judge would have passed a sentence that wouldn't be so easy to overturn by another court. The defendant is an unemployed father of two, a jail term or a €1,000 fine (the sort of sentences the law does provide for) would have hurt him much more.

[Digger Out]

Hughes the ex FF TD seems to be off the wall here. What if this manwas a muslim,or a Protestant , how could he comply with the orders. It is a sectarian order, and mustbe quashed. Why not let him do community service. And will he send the next offenfer to fast and pray on Lough Derg ?

[Andrew49]

In a surprising move a District Judge and ex Fianna Fail TD has ordered a Donegal man to make the catholic haj to Croagh Patrick and say four stations of the cross- his crime? Calling a Garda a 'Mayo Wanker'.

In this novel interpretation of the law under the bedraggled Irish constitution it appears that the Judge insists that the miscreant carry out a catholic dogmatic act and report back at which point the Judge 'will know' if the man had made a sincere attempt at Cromwell's 'To Hell or To Connacht' policy.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0917/1224279094345.html

Apart from the fact that any drunken law student could get this sentence dismissed as illegal under the constitution it does rather reinforce the debatable nature of political appointments to the judiciary (Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court appointments are the prerogative of whichever party is in power).

I would suggest this Judge has but a nodding acquaintance with Irish law.

Joseph McElwee, who called Garda Nicholas Freyne a “Mayo w****r” and told him to “f*** off back to Mayo” has raised almost €3,000 for charity after completing the hike with 13 friends. He said the publicity surrounding the case had had a very negative affect on his family, especially his eight-year-old son.

Source (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1109/1224282959120.html)

[culmore]

good to see a proper judge in Donegal for a change, pity he was not there years ago. His past party choice has nothing got to do with it,

[Kev Bar]

Firstly we have been down this road before and you prefer the theoretical separation in Ireland between the government and the judiciary. I prefer to look up appointments and see who appointed them. Next you'll be telling me that all those in political office in Ireland with 'barrister' after their name have all practised as solicitors first;)

I'm happy to put 'FG Judge' before any FG or 'Labour Judge' against any such names that come up. I suspect the 'FF' part will be quite busy though. I think I remember asking you to look up judicial appointments across the Supreme Court and see who they are and which parties they are affiliated with. But you seem reluctant to depart from the theory.

I'll ask you a question. Is it true or not that the Department of the Taoiseach has any role in the appointment of Supreme, High, Circuit and District Court Judges?

Yo Capt, there is a bit of a problem with the presumption that the judge will vote according to the prefix.
It's an appointment and when we get to the High and Supreme court nominations, shame/aversion to ridicule thankfully prevent the dumping of political debris.
Down the district...well...let the games begin!

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

The past party choices of judges in Ireland has got a hell of a lot to do with whether they end up as judges.

The office of the Taoiseach appoints Supreme Court, High Court, Circuit and District Court judges. From a 'nominated' list of course. A bit like the Queen getting a list of people to be knighted from Downing St in the UK.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Yo Capt, there is a bit of a problem with the presumption that the judge will vote according to the prefix.
It's an appointment and when we get to the High and Supreme court nominations, shame/aversion to ridicule thankfully prevent the dumping of political debris.
Down the district...well...let the games begin!

Agreed- but it does not improve the operation of the legislature which is supposed, like the media, to be one of the four independent pillars of a democracy.

The senior ranks of the legislature with a few honourable exceptions reads like a list of people who were too grumpy for the Senate.

[Andrew49]

THERE HAVE BEEN calls for a District Court judge to resign after he described Travellers as being “Neanderthal men… abiding by the laws of the jungle”. Mr Justice Seamus Hughes is reported as criticising a defendant who appeared before Athlone District Court, saying:
Nobody has indicated it to me, but I suspect he comes from a certain ethnic background that would give him even more form given the type of behaviour in which some of them engage… As I’ve described it before, they are like Neanderthal men living in the long grass, abiding by the laws of the jungle.

Source (http://www.thejournal.ie/judge-travellers-comments-law-of-the-jungle-592523-Sep2012/?utm_source=shortlink)

[fluffybiscuits]

THERE HAVE BEEN calls for a District Court judge to resign after he described Travellers as being “Neanderthal men… abiding by the laws of the jungle”. Mr Justice Seamus Hughes is reported as criticising a defendant who appeared before Athlone District Court, saying:

Source (http://www.thejournal.ie/judge-travellers-comments-law-of-the-jungle-592523-Sep2012/?utm_source=shortlink)

This is again of the judges being out of order, we had the judge in mayo making comments on Polish people claiming social welfare and now this comment which is not called for at all. Seamus Hughes should resign immediately from the bench, such comments show that any cases that could come up in future for travellers could be found to be an unfair trial if a judge is seen to have such biases. What about previous convictions, can anything be done if he has convicted travellers?

[homer]

I havw witnessed some traveller's rows. That Judge's description is fair comment.

Ask Phil Hogan's brother

[fluffybiscuits]

I havw witnessed some traveller's rows. That Judge's description is fair comment.

Ask Phil Hogan's brother

I've also witnessed junkies knocking the bollox off each other on Talbot St and lets not forget the youngfella who had the crap beat out of him at Club Annabel...

[Andrew49]

I havw witnessed some traveller's rows. That Judge's description is fair comment.

Ask Phil Hogan's brother

I've witnessed worse violence (some sadistic) and none of it was perpetrated by Travellers. And I've yet to hear judge tear into these sadistic monsters .... mainly because these sadistic monsters, unlike Travellers, remain the Untouchables in Irish society.

[fluffybiscuits]

I've witnessed worse violence (some sadistic) and none of it was perpetrated by Travellers. And I've yet to hear judge tear into these sadistic monsters .... mainly because these sadistic monsters, unlike Travellers, remain the Untouchables in Irish society.

Very well put Andrew. I can see Homers point but its fairly moot, violence is known across all divides of the social strata. From D4 heads to those whom are in the bottom rungs of the social ladder, violence can afflict anyone. Rather than the judge looking at it as being some issue confined to some ethnic group, he should have looked at the issue and asked himself why are the fighting and what are the aggrevating factors (drugs, alcohol being two of the most common). How a man like that ended up being a judge is beyond me with idiotic statements like that. Can nothing be done to remove him from the bench of can Pavee Point take a case against him and get him thrown out on his ear?

[Slim Buddha]

Just another symptom of an utterly failed system - allowing village idiots from the former ruling Traitors Party to be judges. Sick, sick, sick!!

[homer]

Slim Buddha

I know Seamus Hughes - he was a very successful solicitor, and was a state solicitor before he was appointed to the bench.

He lives in Westport, selected by the Irish Times as the best town in Ireland in which to live. It is a town rather than a village, and there are no idiots there.

With respect you should not post such derogatory remarks about someone you obviously do not know.

I don't know what prompted his remarks, but many of the defendants in District Courts are no angels, and are often, too often, travellers.

Look at the photographs of Phil Hogan's brother after being attacked by a group of travelllers. Neanderthals would be a mild term for that gang.

[Slim Buddha]

Slim Buddha

I know Seamus Hughes - he was a very successful solicitor, and was a state solicitor before he was appointed to the bench.

He lives in Westport, selected by the Irish Times as the best town in Ireland in which to live. It is a town rather than a village, and there are no idiots there.

With respect you should not post such derogatory remarks about someone you obviously do not know.

I don't know what prompted his remarks, but many of the defendants in District Courts are no angels, and are often, too often, travellers.

Look at the photographs of Phil Hogan's brother after being attacked by a group of travelllers. Neanderthals would be a mild term for that gang.


YOu may be right. But I make no apology for associating people attached to, promoted by, benefitted by and advanced by Fianna Fail in a derogatory manner. This is a party of Traitors, the scum of the country and enemies of the Irish people. If he was one of them, he should be treated accordingly.

[Andrew49]

Slim Buddha

I know Seamus Hughes - he was a very successful solicitor, and was a state solicitor before he was appointed to the bench.

He lives in Westport, selected by the Irish Times as the best town in Ireland in which to live. It is a town rather than a village, and there are no idiots there.

With respect you should not post such derogatory remarks about someone you obviously do not know.

I don't know what prompted his remarks, but many of the defendants in District Courts are no angels, and are often, too often, travellers.

Look at the photographs of Phil Hogan's brother after being attacked by a group of travelllers. Neanderthals would be a mild term for that gang.

Hughes is a public figure mostly on the basis of his actions, his outlandish statements and certain derogatory remarks he's made. The controversies he is embroiled in should not be used to tarnish the judicial community as a whole. I know plenty of judges and as a whole they are quite decent and respectable.

If the only people coming before Hughes in court are from the Traveller community then questions need to be asked on the administration of justice (from Gardai to the DPP) in Hughes' area. Mayo itself seems to have lawbreakers in the thousands and I'm sure residents of Westport make up a proportion of those lawbreakers .... LINK - 10,000 householders warned to pay charge or face court (http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16098:householders-warned-to-pay-up-or-face-court&catid=23:news&Itemid=46) - It will be interesting to hear this particular judge's demonisation of those Mayo householders who continue to break the law!

[DCon]

The publication of one's name is now deemed punishment enough for sexual attacks


Judge Martin Nolan freed car dealer Aidan Farrington, aged 45, who abused his two adult nieces on three separate occasions, saying the publication of his name was punishment enough.

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland has criticised the decision and said the case highlighted the need for sentencing guidelines.

Judge Nolan said the abuse was very serious but "the seriousness of the assaults themselves do not mandate a custodial sentence". He ordered that Farrington’s name could be reported in the media after hearing the victims had no problem with this.

"This will be a punishment in itself. He will be rightfully held in public odium for what he has done."


Farrington, of Iona Drive, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing one niece in 1995 in his mother’s home and abusing another in 1998 in his own house and again in 2001 in a Kilkenny hotel.

The first incident happened after the then 22-year-old victim was on a work night out which Farrington also attended. She was staying in her grandmother’s house where Farrington resided.

He came into the room, pulled down her underwear and performed oral sex on her as the victim lay there crying. When he stopped he said sorry and said: "I must have been sleepwalking." The next day he begged her not to tell anyone.

In 1998 another niece was babysitting her cousins in Farrington’s house. The next morning he called the 18-year-old into his bed, asking for "a cuddle" and began to touch her genitals.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2012/1005/ireland/outrage-as-sex-attacker-avoids-jail-term-209976.html