By David Raleigh

A man left a courtroom in hysterics today when comparing a presiding judge to the character "Judge" from the classic Irish children's television series Wanderly Wagon.

Even Judge Elizabeth McGrath couldn't resist smiling when Kevin Lamphier, 39 - who was convicted of been drunk and with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on a public street -- made the outburst.

After been fined by Judge McGrath at Nenagh District Court today, Mr Lamphier, from St Ita's Terrace, Thurles, smiled and exclaimed: "I can't call you 'Judge', because every time I do, I think of Wanderly Wagon."

'Judge', a dog puppet in the Wanderly Wagon show which ran from 1969-1982, was the voice of reason and good sense as well as moral conscience to the rest of the characters Godmother, Fortycoats, Mr Crow, Foxy the Moon Mice, Doctor Astro, Sneaky Snake, Maeve the Witch, Rory, O'Brien, and the two squirrels, who got up to all sorts of adventures in their wagon.

Mr Lamphier, of St Ita's Terrace, Boher na Nave, Thurles, later applied to the court for an extension for time on payment of a previous fine and told Judge McGrath: "I'll call you 'mam, with respect."

Without blinking an eye, Judge McGrath replied with a smile: "Alright, that's fine Mr Lamphier".

As he walked out of the courtroom Lamphier bowed and said: "Thank you - Judge!"

The court broke out into laughter and saw a knowing smile from the presiding judge.