County JPC lobby for changes to free legal aid

It's in response to a letter received by the group from the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter which makes no proposal to change the current scheme.At today's meeting of the JPC, Councillor Jim Cuddy said it was 'regrettable' the Minister would take this stance when the taxpayer paid over 50 million euro last year to fund free legal aid.Earlier this year, the JPC wrote to the Minister requesting thescheme be reviewed so that alleged offenders can only apply once for assistance, and so prohibit repeated use by repeating offenders.Councillor Jimmy McClearn pointed out that it was one thing to make a good suggestion but a referendum was needed to change the system.Under the criminal justice act, the courts, through the judiciary are responsible for granting legal aid, and an applicant must establish insufficent means to pay.Councillor Michael Connolly told FYI Galway debate at a national level is needed to kick start questions over free legal aid