Victims of serious crime could face further delays as criminal defence solicitors extend their withdrawal from legal aid work, into the new court term.
The dispute centres on a new flat-fee system introduced by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, which solicitors say makes some complex cases financially unworkable.
More than 100 solicitors are protesting in Dublin, with action also taking place in Mayo, Wicklow, Monaghan, Galway, Meath and Donegal.
Eoghan O’Sullivan is a partner at Powderly Solicitors, and a criminal defence solicitor – he says the courts-system is in freefall:
