Barrister strikes set to continue in Mayo

CRIMINAL proceedings will be stopped at Castlebar courthouse tomorrow as members of the Criminal Bar campaigning for fees to be restored to 2011 levels.

This will mark the second of three days of protest planned in July, an escalation of the unprecedented nationwide action which was organised by The Bar Council last October.

Protests have and continue to take place across 16 courthouses nationwide where criminal cases are due to be held.

Last year’s action led to a 10 percent restoration in criminal legal aid fees. However the full range of FEMPI-era cuts applied across the sector continue to apply. The unilateral breaking in 2008 of the link to public sector pay agreements has yet to be restored, meaning barristers are paid a flat rate, with no provision for inflation or cost of living increases, in marked contrast to those employed in the public sector.

Speaking to The Mayo News at Tuesday's protest, Mayo-based barrister, Diarmuid Connolly, said that criminal barristers are simply looking for a restoration of the fee to the 2011 level.

He said: “Last October, members of the bar came out on strike and were supported hugely by the solicitors in Mayo at the time. On foot of that, a 10 percent restoration in fees came about, and it was hoped that through negotiation the balance of the 15 percent of the cuts under FEMPI would be restored, and we're very disappointed that hasn't happened despite negotiations by the Bar Council.”

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Mr Connolly explained how last Tuesday’s service withdrawal was the ‘the first of three days of action, in the hope that the minister will make good and restore the cuts that have already happened’.