asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to a statement made by District Justice O'Sullivan in the Dublin District Court on October 19th, 1944, in fining ex-Circuit Judge Comyn, wherein he stated that the farmers have really borne a burden for the past 12 years; and whether, having regard to the political import of the statement, he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - District Justice's Comment.
Mr. Boland
My attention has been drawn to the statement referred to in the question. Since then, however, the justice, both publicly and in a letter to the Department, has stated that his intention was not to criticise Government policy but merely to point out, as a relevant factor in determining the penalty to be imposed in the case before him, that the policy of increasing tillage makes it necessary for farmers to have an adequate supply of suitable fertiliser.
The only action which is open to me in the case of complaints about such statements is to ask the Advisory Committee under Section 49 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936, to deal with the matter as one of misconduct or misbehaviour in office. Having regard to the justice's public repudiation of any political motive, I do not propose to take that step in the present case.