Reaction in Longford town yesterday evening to Judge John Neilan's remarks on the town's immigrant community was mixed, with some locals calling for him to apologise - which he later did - while others broadly endorsed his comments.
Adjourning a shoplifting case against two non-national women at a recent sitting of Longford District Court, Judge Neilan said: "The majority of shopping centres in this District Court area will be putting a ban of access to coloured people if this type of behaviour doesn't stop." He said the women had let their fellow "countrymen and women" down.
Last night a spokesman for the Courts Service said the judge had said "He's appalled to think that anything that he said could cause so much offence to so many people and if he did offend people he would want to apologise and he does so unreservedly."
Earlier, the Fine Gael mayor for Longford county, Mr Alan Mitchell, said people he had spoken to believed what Judge Neilan had said was correct.
Mr Mitchell, a solicitor, who has appeared before Judge Neilan, said he was known for his comments in court about problems in Longford such as drink-driving and drugs.
"People saw that the judge, in raising the issue, would have more been looking at it in the context of raising the problem of refugees and non-nationals in Longford. He is highlighting the problem."
Mr Mitchell said Co Longford had taken its "fair share" of non-nationals, with more than 700 currently receiving assistance from the Midlands Health Board.
"It would be more an issue of sending a warning to the people concerned than anything else. He would know he has no right to bar people. People coming to Ireland have rights, but also responsibilities."
In Tesco supermarket in Longford, local woman Ms Nora Keegan said it was "totally out of order" to make such comments.
"I'd say you cannot tar all people with the one brush." She said Judge Neilan should apologise.
Mr Tommy McNally, from Longford town, said: "I don't believe in discrimination against any people. If there was something said in the wrong he should apologise."