Dispute between McDowell and judge deepens

THE BITTER row between Justice Minister Michael McDowell and a District Court Judge intensified last night as the minister insisted he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

District Court Judge John Neilan yesterday accused Mr McDowell of directly interfering with the independence of the judicial process by commenting on the legality of remarks made by the judge in court last week.

Last week, Judge Neilan controversially threatened to lock up all convicted drink drivers for a week while he made a decision on their sentencing.