The continuing dispute between the Southern Law Association (SLA) and Judge Michael Pattwell worsened yesterday when the association accused the judge of going beyond his judicial powers to explain his decision to hold a solicitor in contempt.
According to the SLA, Judge Pattwell has sought trial by media over his decision to hold the solicitor, Ms Marguerite Fennell (40), in contempt and fine her £2, and it accused him of demeaning the office of district judge in the process.
"Judge Pattwell has gone to extraordinary lengths in his continuing statements both from the bench and to the media in attempting to justify his decision, above and beyond his judicial function," the SLA said in its statement.
"This matter will shortly be the subject of a judicial review and it is inappropriate and undignified for anyone, in particular a District Court judge, to seek a trial by media in this fashion," it added.
The SLA also strongly rejected claims by Judge Pattwell yesterday that the incident was being exploited by a small number of solicitors who were using Ms Fennell's conviction for contempt as a means of attacking him.
"I have a feeling that if it had not happened last Wednesday, somebody else might have taken the opportunity to take a go at me because there are some solicitors, a small number of solicitors, who cannot take the heat," he said.
"Sooner or later, they would find a reason to have a go. I think they are being abusive of poor Ms Fennell," said Judge Pattwell, who is currently on a holiday in Italy with friends that was planned before the current controversy.
But the SLA responded robustly to Judge Pattwell's claims, saying his assertion that a number of solicitors were "out to get him" was "totally ridiculous" and they urged him to cease making "wild allegations".
"It is outrageous for him to accuse solicitors of `being abusive to poor Ms Fennell' when he was the person who incorrectly deprived her of her liberty as she went about her day's work on behalf of her clients," said the SLA.
Some 40 SLA members from north and east Cork who appear before Judge Pattwell in Court District No 20 were last night due to meet in Mallow regarding the stand-off, but no statement was expected in advance of a general SLA meeting tomorrow night.