McDowell criticised by district judge

A district judge has accused Minister for Justice Micheal McDowell of interfering in the judicial process, and has said he will refuse to hear any drink-driving cases for six months.

Last week, Judge John Neilan, who presides in the midlands, threatened to jail drunk drivers for a week before sentencing, but Minister McDowell said that would be unlawful.

Judge Neilan told Mullingar District Court today he was protecting the integrity of the system by taking this action.