Judge suggests posting notice on door of Mayo courthouse
Judge Vincent Deane suggested that a notice on the door of the courthouse might be appropriate.
A district court judge has suggested posting a notice on the door of Castlebar Courthouse reading "the legal aid solicitors are on strike".
Judge Vincent Deane made his comments at the recent holiday sitting of Castlebar District Court after having to repeat the line to a string of unrepresented defendants.
The issue of the prolonged legal aid dispute arose in the case of a man who appeared before the court in custody in connection with an alleged incident at the Wyatt Hotel, Westport, on May 22, 2025, and who was keen to press ahead with the case, despite having received no legal advice.
Kevin Malone, c/o Eco Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Coosan Point, Coosan, Athlone, Co Westmeath, had been remanded in custody after he was arrested on foot of a bench warrant.
He told the court he had attempted to obtain legal advice but had been unsuccessful, and said he wanted the matter dealt with that day.
Malone told the court he was also due back before Athlone District Court on September 2.
"I am always nervous if someone hasn't consulted legal advice," Judge Deane said.
Malone, who is facing 22 charges in total, including assault and theft, told the court he had already pleaded guilty to 21 of them.
"I might as well plead guilty to the 22nd," he remarked.
The court heard the defendant has been in custody since July 11.
Garda Sergeant John O'Reilly began to outline the background to the alleged incident at the Wyatt Hotel before being interrupted by Judge Deane.
The judge told Malone the order in which he pleads to the charges could prove significant and suggested it might be better to put the matter back.
"If you give me a lighter sentence, it'll all be one," Malone replied.
Sergeant O'Reilly also added that the adjournment would give time for Garda Lafferty to canvas for a victim impact statement, as the injured party is in the United States.
Malone ultimately agreed to the adjournment.
Judge Deane remanded him in custody, and adjourned the matter to September 16 for sentencing and finalisation.
The legal aid dispute, which has been ongoing for several weeks, has led to the adjournment of numerous cases in both the district and circuit court in Mayo. The courts are on holiday for August - apart for one sitting per week for custody matters - but it now looks as if the dispute between solicitors and the Minister for Justice over the rate of payment for legal aid cases will continue into September when the normal court diary resumes.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
