Woman without representation due to legal aid dispute released on bail after High Court challenge

Scheme provides for a once-off legal aid fee of €520 irrespective of how many appearances solicitors make to represent a client in the district court. Previously, solicitors were paid per appearance

At the High Court on Friday, lawyers submitted that arising from the woman being unable to secure representation, she did not have a fair hearing at the district court. File picture

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026 - 19:09

Ann O’Loughlin

A woman who was left without legal representation in the district court due to a dispute over the new legal aid payment model has been released from custody on bail after she challenged her imprisonment in the High Court.

Ceiligh McCormack, aged 29, of Railway Street, Dublin 1, was unrepresented when she appeared before Dublin District Court this week due to many solicitors’ ongoing refusal to work under the revised scheme.