The Dublin bus driver charged in connection with the deaths of five people was yesterday remanded on continuing bail at Dublin District Court.
Mr Kenneth Henvey, 48, Whitethorn Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin, will appear again before the court on November 5th. He was charged last month with dangerous driving causing the deaths of five people at Wellington Quay on February 21st.
His solicitor, Mr Phillip Tracy, applied for legal aid on the grounds that Mr Henvey had to support his wife and three children on social welfare payments of €225 a week and had also to make mortgage repayments of €780 each month.
Judge James Paul McDonnell granted the request.
He asked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to explain why some of the national media had publicised the charges against Mr Henvey before he appeared in court last month.
He also expressed concerns that the DPP had not been legally represented during the hearing.
Ms Gráinne Glynn, representing the DPP, said she had noted Judge McDonnell's concerns, but it was not normal practice for the DPP to be legally represented at such cases.
Judge McDonnell said: "This was a case when the DPP gave instruction that the accused be arrested and charged. The charges are serious charges... including a number of fatalities.
"Whether it be a Saturday, Sunday or ordinary working day, the State should be legally represented. I've said it before and I'll say it again."
Ms Glynn said the DPP had full confidence in the ability of the Garda to bring the case to court and handle it with full discretion.
Mr Tracy expressed disappointment that the charges against his client had been publicised before the court appearance. "I thoroughly concur with the judge's comments," he said.
Ms Glynn said she would convey the judge's remarks to the DPP.