Judge puzzled by furore over comments in court

Michael Connellan is puzzled by the voluminous attention some of his recent remarks have received. Mr Connellan is the District Judge who said that women getting drunk were "acting like alley cats" and then "fighting like savages".

His comments, which were made at Newbridge District Court the week before last, have drawn strong criticism from women's groups and political parties. He was referring to a case, under the Public Order Act, dealing with drunkenness in public and breaches of the peace.

In court, the defendant, Mr Andrew Halpin, a computer engineer from Ruanbeg Park, Kildare town, pleaded guilty to being drunk in a public place and to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. In a statement yesterday, the judge said he was not dealing with any assault charge in relation to Mr Halpin.

Mr Halpin was given the Probation Act, a decision which "was very suitable in the circumstances" said the judge, as he had apologised for his behaviour, had no previous convictions and was in employment.

A garda told the court that on the night of the incident, Mr Halpin was "on the ground trying to protect himself. But he retaliated when he got back on his feet and punched a woman in the face, knocking her over . . . He was very drunk."

In his comments on the case, Judge Connellan said: "It seems to me that women are getting drunk and acting like alley cats. Then they are fighting like savages. I can't say I blame the man for hitting her if she had attacked him."

In the judge's statement yesterday, he said these comments were "in response to the evidence I hear in courts all over the country of an ever-increasing number of women appearing before me charged with such drunken behaviour."

After hearing evidence from a garda, the judge said he "did state that I could not blame him [Mr Halpin] hitting out, as he was under attack".

The judge said the comments he made in court were intended to convey his "disquiet and concern at the increasing levels of violence in society and regret that they may have been interpreted as in any way justifying certain actions or isolating any section of society".

The comments drew strong criticism from women's groups. Ms Christine Ross, chief executive of the National Women's Council, said the remarks seemed to imply violence was acceptable because drink was involved. The national president of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, Ms Breda Raggett, said his comments were "highly offensive" to women.

Judge Connellan said his comments "were in no way meant to condone violence or justify any rough behaviour against another citizen, regardless of gender . . ."