This article is from page 10 of the 2009-05-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE availability of free legal aid for people with multiple previous convictions represents an “absolute abuse” to taxpayers and victims of crime, a meeting has heard.
Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) was com- menting at yesterday’s monthly meet- ing of Clare County Council, where he called for an urgent reform of the free legal aid system.
The Shannon councillor raised the matter in a motion calling for the Minister for Justice and all relevant ministers to review the possibility of removing the facility of free legal aid from serial criminal repeat offenders.
Cllr Mulcahy proposed that a limit be placed on the amount of times se- rial offenders be allowed to avail of free legal aid, possibly three times.
Cllr Mulcahy also said that these in- dividuals should be means-tested and asset-tested prior to be being granted full legal aid. Cllr Mulcahy told the TPaeceL BD OTSMNOT:LMOCOMWE RM ECU DOTSMO Sem NOreLAKo because of a “serious lift in the level of violent crime and assaults”.
He said that under the current sys- tem, taxpayers were underwriting the cost of violent crime. “As long as
we are going to continue to pay we are not going to get criminals behind bars and they are going to go on giv- ing the two fingers to justice,” said Cllr Mulcahy. He said the system was in need of urgent reform. “They (se- rial offenders) are not means tested or asset tested. We need to put a stop to this activity,’ said Cllr Mulcahy.
He added, “We have a duty to pro- tect people from this abuse. I believe this system is an absolute abuse. We have to put a stop to this”.
Cllr Pay Hayes (FF) said the cost of free legal aid was being picked up by taxpayers. He said the system had contributed to a “constant merry go- round of crime”.
Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said that while there were cases where people were genuinely entitled to free legal aid, the system was being abused by “thugs and gurriers and people with a catalogue of crime”.
“It’s hard to defend the indefensi- ble. I don’t see why taxpayers should have to pay for it.”
Cllr Mulcahy said he appreciated the views of the legal community on the matter and acknowledged that those charged with breaking the law were entitled to representation.