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A court case was suspended today after an accused man mooned a judge, spanked his own bottom and then handled his penis.

Proceedings at Ennis District Court were halted after an incident in which the man took his pants down in front of Judge Patrick Durcan.

The man, from Ennis, Ireland, turned his back on the judge and started beating his behind with his hands after Judge Durcan refused bail to the man's younger brother.

Two Ennis men were before the court on Section 3 assault charges on a 17-year-old male and after 'mooning' at the judge, the man with his pants around his ankles turned around and handled his penis and shouted at the shocked judge.

As Gardai in court restrained the 24-year old and his 18-year-old brother who was also 'lashing out', Judge Durcan retreated from his bench into his adjoining chambers, reports the Irish Mirror.

During the melee, one Garda was allegedly assaulted in the court. Around five Gardai were in court at the time and Garda reinforcements were called to deal with the disturbance and after court business was suspended for 20 minutes, Judge Durcan re-commenced the bail hearing.

For the recommenced hearing, Gardai were taking no chances and had both brothers in handcuffs while Gardai cleared the court of family and friends of the two who had been present for the earlier hearing.

At the resumed hearing, Judge Durcan remanded the two men - who are members of the travelling community - in custody.

Insp Tom Kennedy was leading the Garda case in the bail application hearing yesterday and said that he was "horrified" by what he had witnessed in court.

Speaking after court, Insp Kennedy said: "What happened in court today was unbelievable. In all my time working in court, I never seen an indecent display like I witnessed today.

He said: “What happened was incredible and to see someone moon at a judge and then show his genitals to the court and hold them in his hand was an affront to the administration of justice in the court. Why someone would do that, I just don't know."

Insp Kennedy said that he had witnessed a number of disturbances in court over the years, but never anything where such disrespect was shown to the justice system.

He described the situation in court as "tense and explosive".

Insp Kennedy said that the bail hearing came at the end of the day in court which dealt with mainly civil matters and the only members of the public that were present were family members and friends of the two accused along.

He said: “It is something that members of the general public did not to have witness what occurred today. Judge Durcan was also horrified by what he had witnessed."