A special sitting of Arklow District Court in Co Wicklow was abandoned yesterday after a family of mice ran amok in the courtroom.
The three black animals ran under the judge's bench, under the court clerk's feet and up and down a flip chart, leaving chaos in their wake.
Judge Donnacha O Buachalla took evasive action by stuffing his trouser ends into his socks.
He adjourned the court for 15 minutes to give gardai a chance to trap the mice. They set up a "checkpoint" in the aisle and tried to grab the mice as they dashed past. "This isn't a mickey mouse court," one garda said. Mr Tom Honan, a solicitor, suggested they do it Pied Piper-style by inviting the local brass band into the court.
The court reconvened but there was pandemonium when a mouse ran up the trouser leg of a witness giving evidence and jumped into his pocket. Then two mice dived into the crowd and the screaming started. "It is impossible to proceed," the judge announced, adjourning the court sine die.
Supt Pat Flynn commented: "I've been in that court since 1973 and I never saw a mouse."
The special sitting abandoned yesterday had been set to hear a number of cases involving two independent councillors, Mr Bruce Hoskins and Mr Brian Rees, and others. Some of the charges arose from anti-drug marches in Arklow.
Cllr Hoskins was accused of assaulting Mr John Burke on board a fishing trawler in Wicklow Harbour on May 22nd, 1998.
Mr Burke claims Mr Hoskins kicked him in the head, produced a knife, held it to his throat and gave him two small cuts, telling him: "You're not in my gang any more." Mr Hoskins denied having a knife and said Mr Burke had started the fight.
The judge reserved his decision in this case pending the hearing of the others.
The second case also involved Mr Hoskins. He was charged with possession of a firearm and assault on Mr Burke's companion.
At this point the court was adjourned when the mice made their appearance.