A Dublin man accused of assaulting a Tesco worker and damaging a garda station custody area has been granted bail after a court heard he had no legal representation due to the solicitors’ strike.
Brian Dunne (41) of Ringsend, Dublin 4, appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell at Dún Laoghaire District Court charged with offences arising from alleged incidents on July 5.
Garda Rob Brennan, of Irishtown Garda Station, told the court there was no objection to bail because Dunne was unrepresented, as no solicitor was available due to the current dispute over legal aid rates.
The government has introduced a scheme whereby criminal legal aid solicitors will be paid a flat fee rate of €520 under a ‘one accused, one fee’ model.
Under the old system, a solicitor was paid for each court appearance by a single person, starting at €239.38 for the first appearance, and then €59.86 for each subsequent hearing.
Solicitors objecting to the scheme are refusing to take on new legal aid clients. The dispute has led to delays in cases across the country and a number of people charged with offences have been unable to secure legal representation.
The court heard Mr Dunne was arrested on July 5 and brought to Irishtown Garda Station.
He is accused of damaging a pack of beef steaks worth €15 at Tesco, 30 Baggot Street Upper, Dublin 4.
He is also charged with damaging the rear gate of Tesco at Eastmoreland Lane, Dublin 4, and damaging a cell and custody area at Irishtown Garda Station.
The three criminal damage charges are contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.
Dunne is further accused of assaulting a Tesco worker at Tesco on Baggot Street Upper, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
Garda Brennan asked the court to impose a number of bail conditions.
Mr Dunne was ordered to stay away from Baggot Street Upper, sign on daily at Irishtown Garda Station and be of sober habits.
Judge Fottrell remanded Dunne on bail under the conditions sought by Gardaí and adjourned the matter to January 4.