The number of criminal legal aid certificates being granted through the Donegal and Letterkenny District Court offices has fallen to zero.
That’s according to the Courts Service, following the introduction of a new Criminal Legal Aid scheme in July.
In Donegal Town, 32 certificates were granted in July 2025. None were granted in July this year.
In Letterkenny, 183 certificates were issued in July 2025, that figure has also fallen to zero.
Nationally, 702 certificates were issued in July this year, compared with 10,277 in July 2025, a reduction of 93%.
The new scheme has coincided with solicitors withdrawing their services.
Rory O’Brien, principal of McIntyre O’Brien Solicitors in Letterkenny, joined Greg Hughes on today’s show to explain the reasons for the action and the support being given to solicitors in Donegal:
