A TD has used Dáil privilege to criticise a judge in her own case for “irrational decisions”.

Independents4Change TD Clare Daly made the comments about a judge who issued a bench warrant for her arrest earlier this month.

The warrant was issued at Naas District Court when Ms Daly failed to attend in person as it considered an alleged speeding offence.

The TD said her case was the last of 188 on the list, and she did not expect to be heard.

But in the Dáil tonight Daly said the warrant led to a waste of Garda time – and also accused the presiding judge of singling her out for treatment.

“What happened in this case was when the judge was finishing up for the day, got to case number 175 and decided he’d jump the list and go to 188, bring the solicitor before the court and ask him where was his client and why was his client not there – even though I had instructed a solicitor and what reason did I have.”