Judge orders legal aid solicitor to attend court after no-show
The defendant appeared before Castlebar District Court without legal representation after her legal aid solicitor failed to attend.
A judge has ordered the head of a Limerick-based law practice to appear before Castlebar District Court in early January to explain why nobody from his firm turned up in court last week to defend a legal aid client.
Judge Vincent Deane made his decision after hearing evidence from Róisín Brennan of Cloonmonad, Westport, who appeared before Castlebar District Court charged with theft.
Sgt John O'Reilly said the accused was being represented by Julieann Stanley of Limerick-based Kieran O'Brien & Associates Solicitors. Sgt O'Reilly said he had received email correspondence from the law firm seeking an adjournment.
The defendant, Ms Brennan, said she did not know she would have no legal representation until a short time before the court commenced.
Judge Deane asked how many times she had met her solicitor and Ms Brennan replied that whenever she attends the court she meets barrister Christina Bourke, who ordinarily represents her, and occasionally solicitor Ms Stanley.
Judge Deane asked Sgt O'Reilly if he could have a look at the correspondence and, upon reading it, asked Ms Brennan if she had ever met Mr O'Brien. The defendant said she had not.
"She (Julieann Stanley) told me she would be here this morning and she is not here, " Ms Brennan added.
Judge Deane said he wanted Mr O'Brien to attend the court on January 3 to explain himself.
"The legal aid given by the court was to Mr O'Brien," he told the defendant. "You are telling me you have never met Mr O'Brien but I want to meet him, and I am withdrawing the legal aid [until] he attends."
