ALERT: Criminal barristers to hold second day of action as pay dispute continues

Criminal cases at five courthouses across the country are set to be impacted this Monday as barristers hold a second day of action in a dispute over pay.

The protest will see criminal barristers withdraw their services at courthouses around the country as part of their campaign seeking the reversal of pay cuts imposed in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

Hundreds of cases were adjourned last week during the first of three days of action planned for this month.

This Monday's protests will take place at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, Washington Street in Cork, Limerick city, Castlebar, County Mayo and Galway city.

While the Government agreed to increase the fees of criminal barristers and solicitors by 10% in last year's Budget, barristers say this does not fully restore the cuts imposed since 2008.

Speaking ahead of today's protests, Sean Guerin SC, Chair of the Criminal State Bar Committee commented: "The impact of inadequate fees is having a corrosive effect on the retention of counsel in criminal practice and this isn’t just a matter that affects barristers, it’s also a matter of social justice. A lack of experienced and available barristers to fully and properly defend or prosecute a case, leads to inequality and injustice, which have an impact on everyone in society.  Public trust in the criminal justice system should not be taken for granted, and must be protected.”