Judge's outburst at illegal immigration 'joke'
http://www.independent.ie/national-news ... 84874.html
Friday September 21 2007

A JUDGE has declared that Ireland is 'going to hell' thanks to the number of foreign nationals who are entering the country.

In an extraordinary outburst, Judge Sean MacBride raged against people who are travelling to Ireland illegally and claimed we are a 'laughing stock' because of the situation.

"This country is going to hell with people coming in with no papers whatsoever," he said at a sitting of Cavan District Court.

He made the comments after a 35-year-old foreign national appeared before him seeking bail.

Gregory Ebhotemen, of no fixed abode, came before the judge on a charge of failing to produce a valid passport or valid documentation to immigration officer, Garda Padraig Brennan. The alleged incident occurred on September 5 on Farnham Street, Cavan.

Judge MacBride told the court he believed only citizens on legitimate business should be allowed into the country. He said Ireland must not become a 'back door for every other country'.

When Supt Gerry Giblin told the court he was not opposing bail, Judge MacBride said he thought the situation was a 'joke' and wondered how people could come in with no identification and be given bail.

"I think we are a laughing stock in this country," he said. "You wouldn't get away with it in the States.

"How do you know who they are or what they are if, they have no papers?" he demanded.

He asked why the court should give bail to someone who has no passport and no ties with the State.

"If something goes wrong, who will be blamed?" he asked.

The case was subsequently recalled and the defendant was remanded in custody to Cavan District Court on September 27.