Justice Minister: Striking lawyers 'living in parallel world'

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has criticised lawyers who walked out of court today in protest at cuts to legal aid services, branding them "irresponsible".

The Criminal Law Practitioners Organisation, which organised the action, would not say how many barristers and solicitors took part.

However, certain non-custody cases in the District Court were disrupted.

The lawyers claims reductions to legal aid payments have made it increasingly difficult for criminal law firms to represent poorer clients.

However, Minister Shatter said that they are out of touch with reality.

"They seem to live in some parallel world," he said. "They don't seem to realise the huge financial pressures that the rest of the community are under at present.

They have an obligation as lawyers, when appointed to represent a client under the criminal legal aid scheme to fully represent them, and not to delay court processes."