A man who allegedly threw suspected drugs into a canal was granted bail due to a legal aid dispute
A judge said she must strike a balance between fairness and protecting the public as she dealt with a defendant who appeared in court without legal representation due to ongoing solicitors’ industrial action.
Judge Anne Watkin made the remark while granting bail to a 26-year-old man accused of throwing suspected drugs into the Grand Canal and attempting to flee from gardaí.
Accused Left Without Lawyers as Legal Aid Dispute Hits Courts
Ceiligh McCormack (29), of Railway Street, Dublin 1, appeared unrepresented before Dublin District Court this week on a charge of robbery. Gardaí objected to bail, and she was remanded in custody.
In a separate but similar application, Simon Whelan (39) — charged with four counts of burglary, criminal damage, and a road traffic offence — also appeared unrepresented at Dublin District Court and was remanded in custody.