Criminal legal aid bill costs state €54m

SOLICITORS and barristers earned €54.3 million between them last year through providing state-funded criminal legal aid, according to figures from the Department of Justice.

The huge earnings represents a drop of around €4m compared to the figure for 2009, but still means six solicitors earned sums over €750,000.

Top of the earning table was Yvonne Bambury, who was paid €920,529. In second place behind the Smithfield-based solicitor was Frank Buttimer, whose practice is in Cork city. Mr Buttimer, who has acted for clients including Ian Bailey and Wayne O’Donoghue, earned €866,000 last year.