In 2022 I embarked on a campaign to bring about a proper functioning criminal justice system for
all practitioners, particularly for those practicing at District Court level under the Criminal Legal
Aid Scheme.
This campaign was to highlight the very low remuneration levels paid to practitioners at District
Court level, and Rule of Law non-compliance in a European Member State where the liberty of
wrongly accused persons is at risk and where victims of crime are relying on a dysfunctional
system founded on bargain basement fees.
I have dedicated my time to bring about change in our criminal justice system with particular focus
on bringing all practitioners together, and a special focus on creating hope for all those who wish
to practice in our criminal justice system without having to rely on independent resources, deep
pockets, and hope.
I led the campaign to encourage all to come join me, and others, on the steps of courthouses
throughout the State. On 2nd March 2022 I led the first ever visible protest in the State where
barristers gathered publicly to show their growing dissatisfaction of Ireland’s criminal justice
system2. A system that is built on promises, failure, and neglect.
The protest on 2nd March was followed by protests on 4th April 2022 - 2nd May 2023 - 14th July
2023, and 3rd October 2023. Each protest has been well documented on television, radio, online
and print media.
3rd August 2023, I was invited by the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice to make
a written submission on the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill8. My
Submission set out clearly what was needed at District Court level. On 3rd October 2023 I appeared
before the Committee and in clear and uncertain terms I set out in my opening statement where we were and where we must go to from there. The Committee considered my submissions and made
recommendations based on same to the Minister for Justice Ms. Helen McEntee TD.
This achievement has not only highlighted the need for significant change to our criminal justice
system at many levels but has also given hope to those who dreamt about becoming something
that only independent resources could achieve. Now we have an opportunity to build level playing
fields to achieve a truly diverse and inclusive criminal justice system for all.
The quality of any service should never be based on your own available resources. Running a
criminal defense practice on 20-year-old rates of pay tears into the very fabric of hope for District
Court practitioners. No medical professional would be expected to bring into their hospital their
own resources to keep it moving. No train driver would be expected to fuel a train from their own
pocket. Yet barristers like me at District Court level are expected to keep their practices going
from their own resources and from the resources of others. A failed criminal justice system is one
that is resourced by other industries.
I have given the criminal justice system more than hope. I have given practitioners the platform
to say enough is enough. I have opened the door for students who will bring about new skills from
old backgrounds, new adventures, and experiences from their own communities. I believe that
achieving this has enhanced the quality of our criminal justice system by not only sustaining what
we have, but by building on where we were. We are capable of anything when we all come
together. We must never slip back into a failed future.
I represent the most vulnerable people in our communities. They depend on my life experiences,
and skills I have built up since being called to the Bar of Ireland in 2015. They trust me to know
what they don’t understand, and trust that I will communicate same to them regardless of their
circumstances. They trust that I will advocate to the Court on their behalf to bring about a just
outcome for all parties relevant to the crime.
This is not about taking the microphone from anyone, blurring the views of others, or creating a
discomfort for the comfortable. It’s about having a properly functioning criminal justice system
and a level playing field for all. Only then will the scales be balanced. The Rule of Law depends
on it.
The blindfolds have been lifted. It is up to us all now.
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