Legal aid reinstated for holiday man
William Harty, aged 25, of Clonmacken Court, Limerick, had his legal aid revoked by Limerick District Court Judge Eugene O’Kelly last month after he failed to appear in court because he was on holiday.
Judge O’Kelly said the State was under enormous expense to provide persons with legal aid, adding: “It is not intended to facilitate people going on foreign holidays.”
The court heard that Mr Harty had gone on a foreign holiday two days after he successfully applied for free legal aid.
The 25-year-old father of three is charged with possession of a knife and three screwdrivers with the intention of using them in the commission of a crime at High Rd, Thomondgate, Limerick, on May 9 last.
At a previous court hearing, Judge O’Kelly questioned how someone who was granted free legal aid due to his low weekly income was able to go on holidays.
He revoked the free legal aid and issued a bench warrant for Mr Harty’s arrest.
After the bench warrant was executed, solicitor Sarah Ryan told the court the holiday to Wales was her client’s first family holiday in seven years, which was cut short once he learned about the arrest warrant.
The case was adjourned to yesterday, however when it was called, the State indicated it was not in a position to furnish the court with statements as the Garda involved had been on night duty.
Judge O’Kelly said “this was not good enough” and he restored Mr Harty’s legal aid as there was no objection from the State.
He adjourned the case until Oct 16 next and remanded the 25-year-old on continued bail until that date.
