Multiple cases adjourned at Ballina court

There was further disruption at courts in Mayo last Tuesday due to the escalated strike action involving solicitors.

Thirteen criminal cases were listed at a special sitting of Ballina District Court heard before Judge Deirdre Gearty. However, no cases proceeded due to the ongoing dispute between solicitors and the Minister for Justice over a new payment scheme for criminal legal aid introduced in July.

A number of local solicitors had sent correspondence to the court or to An Garda Síochána to say they would not be present due to the withdrawal of services. Barrister Diarmaid Connolly told Judge Gearty he was present only as a courtesy to the court and had no instructions from the solicitors involved in his cases.

Gda Inspector Naomi De Rís told the court the state had both Garda and civilian witnesses present and were ready to proceed with five of the cases. However, Judge Gearty said it would be “unsafe to proceed” with the hearings in the absence of legal representatives and adjourned all matters on the list to courts in November. In six cases, there was no appearance made by a defendant.

There is likely to be more adjournments when the regular sitting of Ballina District Court occurs next Tuesday.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.