Judge John Coughlan also said that he agreed to allow the premises to be used as a venue for an alternative medicine centre and he had "no idea of its current use".

In a statement issued through Courts Service media relations adviser Gerry Curran, Judge Coughlan said he acted as soon as he realised the premises was trading as a "head shop".

He said he contacted his auctioneer who reached an agreement immediately with the operators of the Happy Daze shop on Naas' Main Street "that they will vacate the premises and seek accommodation elsewhere".

Mr.Curran's statement added he would not be in a position to take queries on the matter.

The Happy Daze premises is located in part of a building that is owned by Judge Coughlan, whose legal practice was once located there.

Headshops have attracted adverse attention locally and nationally. Although they are fully legal and operate within the law, gardai as well as parents have expressed concerns about the products on sale at these premises.

The story was broken exclusively in the Leinster Leader newspaper this morning.