'Contagion' of court dodgers forces judge to order arrests of TV licence defaulters

Judge Anthony Halpin said he wants Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to prioritise warrants issued for 'no-shows' who deliberately evade their cases

Judge Anthony Halpin made his comments when it emerged that 35 of the 150 defendants had failed to show up at Dublin District Court for Friday's TV licence prosecutions. Stock picture

A Judge overseeing Dublin's TV licence prosecutions has said a "contagion" of defendants dodging court forced him to adopt a "draconian" approach by ordering gardaí to arrest the "no-shows".

In his opening remarks at Dublin District Court on Friday, Judge Anthony Halpin added that he wanted Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to prioritise the warrants he issues for those who deliberately evade their cases.