Mayo Intercultural Action, a group that assists people of all nationalities living in the county to become part of the Mayo community, has condemned comments made by District Court Judge Mary Devins about the Polish community at a sitting of Castlebar District court on Friday last.

Judge Devins compared the social welfare system to a charity for Polish people.

In a statement last night, the judge apologised for the remarks, saying they were intended to be specific to one incident and never intended to offend the Polish community.

Michelle Rooney of Mayo Intercultural Action says that while the apology is welcome, her group would  rather if the judge retracted the statement completely.