Barristers protest at county Tipperary courthouse in third day of industrial action

Barristers protesting outside Clonmel Courthouse on July 9, the first of the three days of industrial action they and criminal barristers throughout the country are engaging in this month. Picture John D. Kelly 

Criminal barristers in Tipperary have withdrawn theirs services today (Wednesday, July 24) as part of a nationwide day of industrial action in their pay dispute with Government. 

A protest by barristers who practice in county Tipperary is taking place at Clonmel Courthouse this morning as part of the day of action. It is one of 11 courthouses across the country barristers are staging protests at today. 

The other protests are taking place at the Four Courts in Dublin, Carlow Town, Ennis Co. Clare, Washington St Cork, Buncrana Co Donegal, Naas, Co. Kildare, Kilkenny City, Merchant’s Quay Limerick, Longford Town and Sligo Town. 

This is the third day of industrial action this month by criminal barristers. 

In a statement, the Bar Council of Ireland said that following a series of correspondence with An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, in addition to Department of Justice officials, the situation remains at an impasse. 

It outlined that it recommended the withdrawal of service to members in response to a continued lack of progress on the restoration of fees imposed in the Financial Emergency Measures in Public Interests (FEMPI) era.

"This three days in July is an escalation on the previous one day of withdrawal which took place on October 3, 2023," said the Bar Council statement. 

"Shortly after that unprecedented day of withdrawal last October, a partial restoration of 10% of fees was confirmed in Budget 2024," 

"However, even after this 10% was restored, the full range of FEMPI-era cuts that were applied across the public sector, continue to apply to the profession, and the unilateral breaking of the link (in 2008) to public sector pay agreements has yet to be restored."

The statement continued: "While members of Government and the Opposition have signalled support for fee restoration, no commitment has been forthcoming regarding a timeline, despite a Government report as far back as 2018 stating that fee restoration was justified, given the reforms and flexibilities provided by profession."

The Council of The Bar of Ireland reiterated its regret with respect to the withdrawal, and its disappointment at the lack of Government action or engagement on the issue.