LATEST: Thousands of cases in Kildare delayed due to dispute over proposed legal aid changes
Minister for Justice said the withdrawal of legal services was "deeply regrettable"
Thousands of criminal cases at Naas Courthouse in Co Kildare have been adjourned in recent weeks as the ongoing dispute between criminal defence solicitors and the Minister for Justice continues to disrupt court sittings.
Legal sources said jury trials at Naas Circuit Court have been repeatedly postponed since mid-June, with a range of serious offences affected, including dangerous driving causing death, sexual assault, robbery, violent disorder, coercive control, arson and assault on gardaí.
On June 16, a total of 10 people were listed for jury trial, with cases including dangerous driving causing death, sexual assault, endangerment and assault adjourned.
A week later, on June 23, a further10 people were due before the court for jury trial.
Nine defendants on bail had their cases adjourned, including prosecutions involving violent disorder, possession of petrol bombs and fraud.
On June 30, all 18 jury trials scheduled at Naas Circuit Court were adjourned. None of the accused were in custody. Cases affected included sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery and drugs offences.
On July 7, all 13 jury trials listed were adjourned, including two sexual assault prosecutions.
At the July 14 sitting, 10 jury trials were scheduled. Two defendants remained in custody while all other cases were postponed. The adjournments included allegations of sexual assault of an adult, sexual assault of a child and coercive control.
Legal sources said numerous sentencing hearings have also been delayed, including cases involving dangerous driving causing death, arson, assault on gardaí, violent disorder, sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material.
The disruption has also had a significant impact on the District Court.
Since June 16 and up to July 22, legal sources estimate that more than 3,200 cases have come before Naas District Court, with the vast majority adjourned because of the withdrawal of services by criminal legal aid solicitors.
Minister for Justice
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan said on Wednesday it was "deeply regrettable" that some solicitors had withdrawn their services in State-funded criminal legal aid cases.
The Minister noted that an 8% increase in criminal legal aid fees for solicitors and barristers in the Circuit Court and higher courts came into effect on July 1.
A new flat payment of €520 for summary cases in the District Court was also introduced, representing what he said was an 8% increase on the previous average payment for five appearances.
Mr O'Callaghan said the withdrawal of services would result in "the unnecessary adjournment of court proceedings" and negatively affect those involved in the criminal justice system.
He said more than 200 new payment certificates had already been issued under the revised scheme, representing a State commitment of more than €100,000 in criminal legal aid payments during its first 14 working days.
The Minister also defended the reforms, saying he could not allow "a blank cheque" for multiple payment certificates or unnecessary adjournments, while pointing to rising criminal legal aid expenditure despite a decline in District Court criminal case volumes over the past decade.