Rights groups welcome judge's second apology

GROUPS WORKING with immigrants have welcomed a second apology from a District Court judge for her remarks on the Polish community here.

Judge Mary Devins commented during a case in her Castlebar court last week that the Irish social welfare system was like a “Polish charity”.

She issued a first apology on Wednesday, in which she said: “If insult was taken from my comments I apologise for same.”

This was rejected as inadequate by the Integration Centre, which yesterday morning issued a statement outlining plans to make a formal complaint to the Garda about the incident.

“The complaint will be made under the Garda racist reporting mechanism, which allows any person to report a racist incident even if they haven’t been the actual victim.”

The centre said the apology had “further inflamed the insult”.

However, in a second statement issued through the Courts Service last night, Judge Devins said: “I unreservedly and without qualification apologise for my off-the-cuff comments at a recent court case. I understand and accept the hurt these comments caused to members of the Polish community.

“This was never my intention and I express my sorrow for same.”

Welcoming the second apology last night, Killian Forde of the Integration Centre said: “Language has consequences and it’s vital that those in positions of influence and power think about their words. We cannot allow for extremist language to become mainstream and legitimised.

“Judge Devins, when on the bench, is representing the State. This State can ill afford to be seen as a backward, unwelcoming country.”

The Immigrant Council of Ireland also welcomed the apology last night. “The ICI welcomes the apology by District Court judge Mary Devins following her recent comments,” it said.

“While the ICI acknowledges that individuals are entitled to have an opinion, we strongly believe that those in a position of influence should refrain from making statements that may perpetuate and/or exacerbate negative, damaging stereotypes and prejudices against any member of the Irish society.”