Solicitors begin High Court action on overcharging

TWO solicitors in Co Cork yesterday began their High Court challenge to findings by a Law Society committee that excessive fees were charged by their firm to two abuse victims for processing claims before the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

One of the claimants claimed on RTÉ’s Prime Time programme last May that he was overcharged by the firm — Ahern, Roberts, O’Rourke, Williams & Partners, the Old Rectory, Carrigaline, Co Cork.

In the case of that claimant, he was charged a total fee of €8,510 by the firm for processing his claim the High Court heard. That man secured an award of €70,000 from the board, plus €6,000 for solicitors’ fees. The firm had accepted the €6,000 and retained the additional €2,510.