Wicklow man accused of stealing €7,000 bicycle and setting fire to €50,000 car has to represent himself in court
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow man accused of stealing a €7,000 bicycle and setting a €50,000 vehicle on fire has been forced to represent himself in court, due to a shortage of solicitors available to the legal aid service.
Scott Murphy (35), with an address in Wicklow, appeared at Wicklow District Court sitting at Bray, charged with criminal damage by fire and burglary.
On June 15, it is alleged that Mr Murphy entered The Sports Room in Wicklow town and stole a bicycle valued at €7,000.
Mr Murphy is further accused of setting a Ford Ranger, valued at €50,000, on fire, which “fully destroyed the vehicle”, outside a home address in Ashford.
Mr Murphy, who previously had legal representation, represented himself as his solicitor is taking part in the withdrawal of legal aid services.
The withdrawal of services follows a dispute between criminal defence solicitors and the Government over proposed legal aid reforms brought in on July 1 by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
Inspector Colm Corrigan told the court that a judge had previously refused jurisdiction for the alleged theft of the bicycle.
This means Mr Murphy will now face trial in the Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, which has greater sentencing powers.
He noted that the book of evidence is quite small, but the matter needs to go back to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The court was told that directions in relation to the alleged arson are currently still awaited.
Judge Mary McAveety adjourned the matter until November to allow for the preparation of a book of evidence.