Judge asks why man on theft charge is on free legal aid

A JUDGE has expressed her amazement that a man waiting on a €17-24,000 legacy and who is before a court on a theft charge, has been able to avail of free legal aid.

Judge Miriam Walsh was commenting at Trim District Court on a case in which a 56-year-old Dublin man was charged with theft at an unknown location in Navan in 2014. The man has been before the same court on 13 occasions and had been granted free legal aid.

His solicitor told the court last week that his client, who still owed €1,750 in compensation, was awaiting a legacy. Judge Walsh said: “If this was a comedy show I wouldn’t get many laughs – but I do in some cases. I have no criticism of this man’s solicitor. This case has been before the court on 13 occasions and he’s on free legal aid.

“Meanwhile, we have people laying in hospital wards and we haven’t got enough nurses to look after them.”

She said she was not talking about the individual but about “the system.” When the defendant’s solicitor asked the judge to put it back “for one decent adjournment,” she adjourned the case to 20th September next when it will be finalised.