James ‘Mago’ Gately granted legal aid in proceeds case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

James ‘Mago’ Gately and Charlene Lam were granted legal aid by the High Court on 16 November 2022 to defend Criminal Assets Bureau claims that their assets were acquired with proceeds of crime.

Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the case was serious because it involved an application to seize the couple’s family home in Coolock, Dublin. He found they did not have the means to pay for legal representation.

The order covered the cost of one solicitor and one barrister for the couple, but not senior counsel. The judge also set a timetable for exchanging documents ahead of a hearing.

The couple deny the CAB claims and say their assets were acquired with legitimate funds. The underlying proceeds case remained unresolved in the reports.