'Public are entitled to say enough is enough' Laois Offaly Judge raises cost of legal aid during prosecution of Laois resident

Laois and Offaly's District Court Judge is concerned about the scale of legal aid costs incurred by the State where cases are adjourned on a number of occasions.

He was commenting when Ozlet Muwaniri (35), Crann Nua, Portarlington, appeared before Tullamore District Court accused of not paying a €69 taxi fare to Taye Owoxeni on December 17 last.

Judge Andrew Cody noted that Ms Muwaniri had also appeared before Portlaoise District Court and the Criminal Courts of Justice.

“She's popping up every week or fortnight at this stage,” the judge remarked.

Defending solicitor Patrick Martin said Ms Muwaniri had been going to court “everywhere” and most of the other matters had been dealt with.

Mr Martin said he did not have instructions on the charge involving the taxi fare but there was likely to be a guilty plea and it could be marked as such.

Judge Cody said the matters were taking up a lot of court time and the accused should have been able to instruct Mr Martin as to whether or not she had paid the taxi fare.

When Mr Martin asked that legal aid be granted to Ms Muwaniri the judge questioned if he should “keep throwing out legal aid” and in this case it would be for “a €69 offence”.

“There has to come a stage where the public are entitled to say enough is enough,” remarked Judge Cody. He assigned legal aid and adjourned the matter to March 20 next.

Explainer

If a charge carries a possible prison sentence and you, as the defendant, are not legally represented,  District Court judge is required to inform you that you may be entitled to legal aid. If you wish to be legally represented and you claim that you can't afford it, the judge must consider whether you qualify for free legal aid.