Longford solicitor is very hopeful legal aid dispute may be resolved within weeks

There are increasing hopes that Longford District Court may return to some sort of normality over the coming weeks after some long-awaited engagement between the Justice Minister and the Law Society on the criminal legal aid dispute.

Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan and the solicitors’ representative body met last Wednesday, October 28 and his representatives held what was described as ‘constructive’ talks on Monday with the Law Society.

A further meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 4 with growing confidence that an agreement may be in sight.

The dispute started following the introduction of the new Criminal Legal Aid Scheme when Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan replaced a per-appearance fee with a flat rate of €520 per case, regardless of the number of district court appearances, in July

Solicitors had previously received around €240 for a first appearance and €60 for each subsequent appearance.

Longford solicitors and legal practitioners nationwide began withdrawing their criminal legal aid services following the changes with further widespread service withdrawals and resignations from the legal aid panel escalating following the introduction of the new Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

John Quinn, of John M Quinn & Co Solicitors in Dublin, took the case to the High Court.

He is seeking to have the statutory instrument introducing the new payment model quashed and a judge dealing with the case was expected to make a decision on Tuesday, November 3.

Local solicitor Diarmuid Quinn of John J Quinn and Co LLP Solicitors, said he believes the High Court decision will 'put a colour on things'.

"I think at least they are meeting, which is what most of them were doing and I think it July was the last time they met.

"So, at least they are getting round the table, and I am sure they will come to some sort of arrangement, you would imagine.

"But, it remains to be seen what that is. I know some of the solicitors at Mullingar are back, and some are back in Athlone, so it is putting a bit more pressure on other solicitors in the Midlands too."

Mr Quinn said although he is not directly involved in the talks so he does not have the full picture, it is positive that talks are ongoing and a resolution appears to be closer.

"It's nearly day by day at this stage.

"I think Longford have agreed to wait until [Tuesday] to see the outcome of this judicial review and I would say we will be back over the coming weeks.

"I don't think anyone is really willing to push this on too much further, but it would depend on the judicial review."

Mr Quinn said he has worked on several occasions helping clients without payment and other solicitors in county Longford have made similar efforts for clients who were in custody.

"I think we have all kind of done a bit of that just to finalise matters for people who are sitting in prison.

"So, there has been a bit of that going on, but there has been no legal aid certificates issued, as far as I'm aware, from Longford in the intervening period.

"So whatever work has been done, it would be either pro bono or it would be privately paid."