Mayo judge threatens notice on courthouse door over solicitors' strike
A SPECIAL sitting of Castlebar District Court heard Judge Vincent Deane raise the idea of posting a notice on the courthouse door reading "the legal aid solicitors are on strike."
He did so after having to repeat the explanation to a string of unrepresented defendants at a court sitting.
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 incident at the Wyatt Hotel, Westport, on May 22, 2025, and who was keen to press ahead despite having received no legal advice.
Kevin Malone, of Eco Lodge, Bed and Breakfast, Coosan Point, Coosan, Athlone, 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 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 two section 3 assaults, a section 99 matter and 18 theft charges, told the court he had already pleaded guilty to 21 of them. "I might as well plead guilty to the 22nd," he said.
He has been in custody since July 11.
Sergeant John O'Reilly, giving evidence as court presenter, began to outline the facts of the Wyatt Hotel incident on May 22 2025, at a room in the hotel in Westport before being interrupted by Judge Deane.
The judge told Malone the order in which he pleads 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.
* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.