Call for prompt trials and an end to unlimited free legal aid

Free legal aid must be restricted and all trials should be heard within six months, former Garda Chief Superintendent Pat McGee has said.

Mr McGee, who retired on Saturday after 38 years on the force, also said crimes by defendants on bail must be properly addressed and he called for a taskforce similar to CAB to tackle cross-border crime.

“There should be a limit on the number of times a person is allowed to get free legal aid,” he said. “What is the sense in a person appearing on maybe his 47th appearance in court, still being allowed free legal aid?