An Irish judge has issued a public apology after claiming in court that Muslims ‘think they can beat their wives’.
District Court judge Anthony Halpin was heavily criticized for the remarks made during a public trial.
He has now apologized for the ‘unfortunate and incorrect remark’ when he said that ‘Muslims think they can actually beat their wives’ in Tallaght District Court last Thursday.
In a statement, Judge Halpin said: “I had no intention of referring to, or offending Muslims or their religion and I apologize for the hurt caused and ask for forgiveness.”
The remark was made as the judge dealt with a Somali man accused of burgling his now divorced wife’s house.
Khadar Younis had pleaded not guilty to burglary, contravening a protection order and possession of a knife at an address in Tallaght last year.
Judge Halpin added: “The remark attracted some attention which gives the impression that I hold views less than favorable to the Muslim religion.
“I would like to state that nothing could be further from the truth.
“I accept that I made the remark, but what I intended to say, and should have said, was that people who beat their partners do not appreciate the provisions of safety or protection orders, and they need intervention and education in that regard.”
The Irish Times reports that the apology and clarification has been welcomed by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.
A statement from the Council said: “Judge Halpin’s reassurance that he had no intention of offending Muslims or their religion is particularly welcome and we accept the apology to that community is genuine.
“This episode again underlines the need for people in authority to reflect on the impact their remarks, even those made off the cuff or in the heat of the moment, can have on the wider public and feed into stereotypes which are wrong and offensive.”
 
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/judge-apologises-for-incorrect-muslim-remark-1.1743415
 
 
 

An Irish judge has issued a public apology after claiming in court that Muslims ‘think they can beat their wives’.
District Court judge Anthony Halpin was heavily criticized for the remarks made during a public trial.

He has now apologized for the ‘unfortunate and incorrect remark’ when he said that ‘Muslims think they can actually beat their wives’ in Tallaght District Court last Thursday.

In a statement, Judge Halpin said: “I had no intention of referring to, or offending Muslims or their religion and I apologize for the hurt caused and ask for forgiveness.”

The remark was made as the judge dealt with a Somali man accused of burgling his now divorced wife’s house.

Khadar Younis had pleaded not guilty to burglary, contravening a protection order and possession of a knife at an address in Tallaght last year.

Judge Halpin added: “The remark attracted some attention which gives the impression that I hold views less than favorable to the Muslim religion.

“I would like to state that nothing could be further from the truth.

“I accept that I made the remark, but what I intended to say, and should have said, was that people who beat their partners do not appreciate the provisions of safety or protection orders, and they need intervention and education in that regard.”

The Irish Times reports that the apology and clarification has been welcomed by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

A statement from the Council said: “Judge Halpin’s reassurance that he had no intention of offending Muslims or their religion is particularly welcome and we accept the apology to that community is genuine.

“This episode again underlines the need for people in authority to reflect on the impact their remarks, even those made off the cuff or in the heat of the moment, can have on the wider public and feed into stereotypes which are wrong and offensive.”