'Small farmer' accused of offence at National Ploughing gets legal aid

Roscommon man charged with breach of Public Order Act earns €150 a week, Tullamore District Court is told

Published 28th Oct 2026, 16:11 GMT Tribune Pictures Roscommon man charged with breach of Public Order Act earns €150 a week, Tullamore District Court is told TULLAMORE District Court was told a man accused of committing a public order offence at this year's National Ploughing Championships was a small farmer.

Judge Andrew Gubbins granted legal aid to Vincent Harrington (60), Cloonmacmullan, Kingsland, Boyle, Co Roscommon who is accused of engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour contrary to Section 6 of the Public Order Act at the championships at Screggan, Tullamore on September 15.

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When Mr Harrington appeared before the court, his solicitor Aisling Maloney said a hearing would be required in the matter and added that a hearing date had been reserved when the man was in court last month.

Justice Minister and Law Society agree engagement to resolve legal aid dispute Judge Gubbins remanded Mr Harrington on bail to appear in court again for the hearing on Tuesday, November 3.

Applying for legal aid for her client, Ms Maloney said she did not have a statement of means for Mr Harrington but he was a small farmer who earned €150 a week.