Woman accused of stealing hair dryer had 'butt lift' op abroad

Judge Andrew Cody will give a ruling later this month on an application in relation to a woman who lost her legal aid after she went abroad for a ‘butt lift’.

The woman (32), who has a Portarlington address, is accused of stealing a Supersonic Hair Dryer valued at €200 from Fletchers Hardware in Portarlington on January 2, 2025.

She had previously been granted legal aid in the name of Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy but that was revoked when Judge Cody learned that the woman had travelled abroad for cosmetic surgery which included liposuction and a ‘butt lift’.

Solicitor Robert Murphy, of Aonghus McCarthy solicitors, made an application for the Digital Audio Recording (DAR) from the day the legal aid was revoked.

He said the accused wasn’t present at the time of the court sitting and the recording would detail what had transpired.

Judge Cody said “you knew that I was going to deal with the legal aid situation on the 20th of July. You were sent an email”.

“You were in court and you left before the case was called,” said Judge Cody.

Mr Murphy said that may be the case but he was likely to have been just outside the courtroom. He said it would be in the interest of justice for the woman to know what happened.

Judge Cody said he could tell him. The legal aid certificate was discharged, he said. He said travelling abroad for liposuction and a ‘butt lift’ were "incompatible" with someone receiving legal aid.

Mr Murphy said the judge was making an assumption. Judge Cody said Mr McCarthy had assured the court that the woman was a lone parent and a suitable candidate for legal aid.

Mr Murphy said at the time it was revoked the firm he worked with had withdrawn from the legal aid panel. “I wouldn’t have been able to make submissions,” he said. However, he said the woman could have made submissions had she been present.

Judge Cody said he would make a decision at Portlaoise District Court on September 17.