Mayo solicitors stage mass walkout of Castlebar courtroom
A sitting of Castlebar District Court was cut short after solicitors withdrew their services and threatened further action
MAYO solicitors staged a mass walkout from Castlebar District Court this morning in protest at the introduction of a new legal aid scheme.
The new criminal legal aid payment model came into operation this morning after the Minister of Justice, Jim O'Callaghan signed the relevant statutory instrument despite nationwide protests from solicitors against the reforms.
For the last two weeks solicitors in Mayo and elsewhere have withdrawn their services in criminal cases in the district and circuit court with the hope the new reforms will be suspended and reconsidered.
However, the Minister continued with the decision to introduce the reforms and as a result, solicitors staged a mass walkout from this morning’s sitting of Castlebar District Court in protest at the new legal aid scheme.
The President of the Mayo Solicitors' Bar Association, Gary Mulchrone informed Judge Michael Connellan that solicitors in the county were now contemplating withdrawing completely from the legal aid panel.
“With regret in relation to the ongoing dispute for the last two weeks, solicitors have individually decided to withdraw their services completely from the court including custody matters,” Mr Mulchrone said.
“Solicitors in Co Mayo who are on the legal aid panel are now actively considering resigning from the panel given the developments where a statutory instrument was commenced this morning despite all the difficulties over the last two weeks.
“That vista is now on the horizon for the people of Co Mayo who are looking for legal representation and I am withdrawing from the court today,” he said.
Ballinrobe-based solicitor Cathy McDarby also informed Judge Connellan that she too will be withdrawing her services and she was followed by Aileen Feeley, Dermot Morahan, Brendan Donnelly, Joan O'Brien and Ita Feeney.
Following the walkout, Judge Connellan informed those present in the courtroom that due to the solicitors withdrawing their services there was little that can be done regarding court business. As a result, cases which were due to be heard were adjourned to later dates.
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