A District Court judge has apologised for comments on the “thickness” of Tyrone people during a sitting in Monaghan last week.
Judge Sean McBride’s comments made headline news in the North. The matter arose during a case against Sarah McGrath (22), Garvagh Road, Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, a student and voluntary worker in healthcare.
She claimed the case had been brought against her in error because the summons, for a public order offence, was destined for another woman of the same name and exactly the same date of birth, but with an address at Newbliss, Co Monaghan.
She had been told that because of legal procedural technicalities she could only have the case against her dismissed in the Circuit Court, and she needed €50 in bail monies to have the case deferred to that court.
When she told the judge she had not got €50 with her and nor had her father, who accompanied her to court, he having only sterling, Judge McBride shouted: "Yes, you are showing the typical thickness from Tyrone people, I am well used to it through football, growing up in Donegal and different things."
But in a statement issued today, Judge McBride said the remarks had been made “during a long day’s work, whilst I was trying to assist a lady who was wrongly prosecuted due to mistaken identity”.
“I regret that I passed a comment that was totally inappropriate about Tyrone people,” the statement said.
“This comment was never meant to be offensive as I have nothing but regard for the people of Tyrone, but clearly to those reading the articles it came across otherwise. For this I apologise.”
