‘Victorian’ expenses of country’s judges exposed

DETAILS of the “Victorian” expenses and entitlements of the country’s judges show they are claiming up to €1,800 a year for frocks and almost €10,000 to keep libraries at their homes and “sitting rooms” near courts during hearings.

The judiciary claimed €2.3 million in expenses last year, including a €40,138 bill for wigs which rose by 53% on the previous year.

Judges’ salaries range from €295,000 for the Chief Justice, €243,000 for a High Court judge, to €177,554 for a Circuit Court judge.