Ex-FF councillor gets free legal aid
Gary O’Flynn, of Hayfield Drive, Castle Court, Whitechurch, Co Cork, faces three counts of soliciting a man to murder Patrick Sweeney, George Ross, and Det Gda Mary Skehan.
The case was before Cork Circuit Criminal Court for the first time yesterday.
Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said Mr O’Flynn had submitted a handwritten statement of means in respect of his application for free legal aid.
Judge David Riordan said Mr O’Flynn should be sworn in so that he could ask him about certain matters contained in the statement.
The judge asked him about one of his assets referred to in the document, namely an apartment in Limerick. Mr O’Flynn said it was co-owned with his father and brother and it was in negative equity.
Mr Cuddigan said Mr O’Flynn was recently awarded €5,000 in respect of an award in a defamation action, and a further sum that went directly to legal fees in the action. Mr O’Flynn said that money was now gone, partially on fees in the present case.
Judge Riordan granted legal aid for solicitor and barrister and agreed to a further application to extend it to cover senior counsel.
The case was then adjourned to the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Feb 4.
O’Flynn faces charges that on a date between Oct 1, 2012, and Feb 15, 2013, inclusive, at Mallow Rd, Cork, he did solicit a named person to murder Patrick Sweeney, and two similar charges whereby he allegedly solicited the same named person to murder Mr Ross and Det Gda Skehan.
