Man appears in court over fatal Dublin assault as legal aid row delays bail

Gardaí objected to bail during the hearing on Monday (PA)

A man who appeared in court charged in connection with a fatal assault in Dublin is to represent himself in his bail application as a result of the ongoing row over legal aid.

Anthony Long, aged in his 40s, died in hospital days after an alleged assault in Parslickstown Drive, Mulhuddart, on July 3.

On Monday morning, Nathan Kenna, 29, of The Nurseries, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, appeared before Blanchardstown District Court.

The court heard from Garda Sean O’Fatharta, who said Mr Kenna had been charged with assault causing harm in relation to the alleged incident at 12.15am on Sunday.

Solicitor Michael Hennessy said he was attending the hearing, but not appearing, out of “respect for the tragic circumstances of the case”.

He said he was resigning from the legal aid board because of the “intransigent approach of the Department of Justice” towards the current dispute with solicitors over fees.

On July 1, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan implemented a flat-fee rate for criminal legal aid in the district court, prompting anger and withdrawal of services among solicitors practising in the area.

During Monday’s hearing, Gardaí objected to bail, and Judge Aine Clancy asked Mr Kenna if he would represent himself to make an application for bail, which he said he would.

He told the court he was not working, and Ms Clancy said he would ordinarily be granted legal aid.

She explained the ongoing dispute to Mr Kenna and offered to defer his application to allow time to prepare for his bail hearing and “put his best foot forward”.

Ms Clancy remanded him in custody until Wednesday, when he is due to appear at Cloverhill District Court where he is expected to apply for bail.

She said the time was to prepare for the hearing and to see if he could come up with cash or independent sureties.