Solicitor tells judge it's 'better that we do not attend court' amid legal aid row

Severe disruption has unfolded in Limerick Circuit Court as solicitors withdraw their services

Published 21st Jul 2026, 14:55 BST Solicitor Julianne Kiely told Judge Colin Daly 'I think it would be better we do not attend' at a sitting of Limerick Circuit Court | x Severe disruption has unfolded in Limerick Circuit Court as solicitors withdraw their services Sign up to our Limerick Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Limerick Live within your account.

SIX CASES up for sentencing at Limerick Circuit Court were adjourned due to the ongoing withdrawal of services.

Judge Colin Daly informed each defendant that as their solicitor was not present, their sentences could not go ahead during today’s sitting of the Circuit Court, July 21.

Solicitor Julianne Kiely, of Kiely McCarthy solicitors, told Judge Colin Daly on July 20, Monday: “Respectfully, on behalf of McCarthy Kiely, Herbert and Co, and Michael O’Donnell solicitors, I think it would be better that we do not attend court.”

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Figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan show that 41 legal aid certificates have been issued by the district court office for Limerick , as part of the new payment scheme.

Sarah Ryan’s solicitors have not observed the withdrawal of services, however, the majority of Limerick solicitors have withdrawn their services to varying degrees for legal aid cases.

The new €520 flat fee for District Court legal aid cases was introduced in July.

The previous legal aid system granted a flat-fee of €239.38 for a person’s first appearance in court, with a further payment of €59.86 for each appearance thereafter.

Courts across the country have been disrupted by solicitors withdrawing legal aid services en masse since mid-June.