Judge orders arrest of man on legal aid who missed court due to sun holiday
William Harty, aged 25, of Clonmacken Court, Clonmacken Rd, Limerick, was not present when his case was called at Limerick District Court.
He is charged with having a knife and screwdrivers at High Rd, Thomondate, on May 9 with the intention of carrying out a robbery.
Last month, Judge Eugene O’Kelly agreed to give Mr Harty free legal aid when the court was told the accused could not afford a solicitor as he was on welfare.
When his case was called yesterday, solicitor Sarah Ryan informed Judge O’Kelly Mr Harty was not present as he had gone on a foreign charter holiday with his partner and their three young children.
She was not aware of her client’s holiday arrangements when she applied at a previous sitting of the court for free legal aid.
Mr Harty, she said, learned his partner had booked a charter holiday abroad for the family, when he returned home from his last court appearance.
Ms Ryan said she was not happy at the position she now found herself in.
Judge O’Kelly said Mr Harty applied for and was granted free legal on the basis that he was getting €188 a week welfare.
Judge O’Kelly said having got free legal aid, the defendant had gone off on a foreign holiday with his partner and three infant children.
“People go on vacation, which they are entitled to. But a lot of taxpayers who fund the legal aid scheme are not in a position to go on vacation and are very hard pressed to make ends meet. Here today we have somebody on a foreign holiday at a time when taxpayers who fund the free legal aid scheme are hard pressed to go on any form of vacation, not to mind a foreign holiday.”
Judge O’Kelly revoked Mr Harty’s free legal aid and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
