The lawyers involved in the long-running trial of killer Graham Dwyer shared almost €900,000 in criminal legal aid payments last year.

William Fry was named the top law firm at the National Irish Bank Irish Law Awards yesterday.

The highest earning lawyer through the State’s criminal legal aid scheme last year was Ian Bailey’s solicitor, Cork-based Frank Buttimer.

THE Government is to bring in tough new measures to stem the spiralling cost of the free criminal legal aid system and crack down on abuses.