Legal experts ‘squander’ millions ‘beating up’ families taking cases

The State’s leading legal experts have been heavily criticised for having “squandered” millions of euro on “beating up” families who take cases seeking justice after health service and other scandals.

Oireachtas public accounts committee chair and Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness said legal groups such as the office of the chief state solicitor and the office of the director of public prosecutions should stop fighting the cases as “money is being spent that just doesn’t achieve anything”.

Speaking during a lengthy meeting with the State institutions and the office of the attorney general over spending issues, Mr McGuinness said while there are funding gaps if the bodies are genuinely serious about saving money they would not stand in the way of victims who seek justice.