State work netted barrister over €500,000 fees last year

on 25/01/2013 00:00:00

According to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Emily Farrell received €519,772 (including Vat) last year.

In a written Dáil response to Fianna Fáil's Niall Collins, Mr Kenny confirmed that €9.5m was paid out to barristers acting in the civil courts on behalf of the Government and other state authorities in 2012.

Last year's payout represents a 7% drop on the €10.2m paid in 2011 and a 46% reduction on the €17.7m paid out in 2008.

The reduction follows Justice Minister Alan Shatter confirming that criminal legal aid payments declined by 10% last year, from €56.1m to €50.5m.

The chief state solicitor and attorney general's offices paid four other barristers over €200,000.

Siobhan Stack got €338,603, David Conlan Smyth €252,225, and Anthony Moore €208,122.

The fourth to get €200,000-plus was one of the counsel to represent the Government in the Marie Fleming right to die case, Shane Murphy SC, who received €206,225 last year. Mr Murphy also represented the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in its contempt action against Seán Quinn.

The figures show that the top 10 earning barristers received an aggregate €2.4m.

One of the top earners from last year was Robert Barron SC, who received €195,088. Mr Barron represented the minister in the successful Supreme Court appeal by Ian Bailey against his extradition to France in connection with the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.