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Many Criminal Cases Adjourned In Naas Courthouse As Solicitors Protest New Scheme

Photo: Rolling News

It comes as solicitors will be paid a flat fee of €455 euro for a criminal case from July 1st, instead of being paid for every appearance

A number of criminal cases were adjourned yesterday in Naas courthouse due to solicitors protesting changes to the Criminal Aid Scheme.

It comes as solicitors will be paid a flat fee of €455 for a criminal case from July 1st, instead of being paid for every appearance.

Tim Kennelly Solicitors are one of a small number of criminal solicitor firms in Kildare.

Speaking exclusively to Kfm news, Tim Kennelly of Tim Kennelly Solicitors said that the new aid scheme is a "kick in the teeth" for criminal solicitors.

He added that "we're not going to wilt on this", and "to the best of my knowledge" the Justice Minister Jim O' Callaghan "hasn't even acknowledged" the situation.

Mr Kennelly added that every other profession had financial cuts restored following austerity measures that were implemented following the financial crash in 2008, as this new scheme is set to affect criminal solicitors.

The Law Society say the change could create an over-reliance on private solicitors or cause people to be pressured into an early guilty plea to reduce the number of appearances in a case.

Mr Kennelly believes "we're left in a situation where all men are equal but some are more equal than others".

Most of the 175 scheduled court cases yesterday did not proceed due to this strike action according to the Leinster Leader. 

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