Speaking at Monaghan District Court, Judge Sean Martin McBride branded Tyrone people "typically thick".
The case involved student Sarah McGrath, 22, from Garvagh Road, who had been wrongly summonsed because her name and date of birth were the same as those of a woman from Newbliss, Co Monaghan, who was accused of a public-order offence.
Legal technicalities meant that Ms McGrath still had to pay 50 Euros in bail to get the case thrown out of the circuit court.
However, when she explained that she and her father, who had accompanied her to the hearing, had only sterling, the judge accused her of "showing the typical thickness from Tyrone people".
The remarks have shocked and outraged many from within the O'Neill County.
Assembly member, Barry McElduff, said he was proud to be from Tyrone.
Mr McElduff continued: "In the first instance it's a serious matter when a judge speaks in this manner to a young lady who shouldn't have been in the court in the first place. I'd like a retraction or an apology.
"Racism is outlawed and this is a form of racism and the people of Tyrone need an explanation. This is the place that was the seat of the O'Neill clan and the great Hugh O'Neill."
Ulster Unionist MLA Billy Armstrong condemned the comments as insulting.
The Mid-Ulster representative said:"As someone who is Tyrone born and bred, I was amazed at the comments from Judge Sean Martin McBride who referred to 'typical thickness from Tyrone people.'
"This is a calculated insult to the people of County Tyrone, and if the judge had made the comments about any other group, there would be an outcry from the Human Rights Industry.
"If I recall correctly, this is the same judge who last year couldn't spell Londonderry, and claimed to be offended by the name. Having offended the people of Londonderry, his latest comments have caused plenty of offence to the people of Tyrone, and I would suggest that if he is looking for someone to call "thick" he doesn't need to look too far, all he needs is a mirror.
"If this is the calibre of Judge they have in the Republic, it doesn't fill me with confidence in their legal system."




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