A JUDGE has granted free legal aid to a pregnant 17 year old whose father gets nearly €25,000 a year from social welfare benefits.
The girl, who is from Romania, was charged at the Children’s Court with theft of a pair of jeans from a clothes shop at Dublin’s Henry Street.
The case had been put back until yesterday after gardaí raised objections to the girl being granted legal aid to cover her defence costs. She has been in Ireland seven years and lives with her family in north inner city Dublin.
Garda Mark Duffy told Judge Patrick McMahon the girl’s father appeared to be living beyond his means. He submitted that he was trying to work out how the man, who has six children and is in receipt of €473 in social welfare benefits, could have three cars and all his family have mobile phones.
In evidence, the man denied he owned three cars. It was put to him by the garda that two vehicles were in his name and he was also in possession of another UK registered car.
“It is possible my friends used to register them in my name,” he replied via an interpreter.
He also claimed that he often bought cars and sold them on but said he did not understand when it was put to him by the garda that this activity could render his benefit claim fraudulent.
In relation to the UK registered car, he said: “I may have used it, I have a licence and probably friends asked me to drive it.”
The father said the money he received from social welfare was just enough to support his family.
The garda suggested to the father, who was wearing black shoes, a black shirt and black trousers as well as a yellow blazer, that he was well dressed. “So is your daughter, it seems you have money?”
The father explained that he bought his trousers for €35 two years ago, he paid €7 in Dunnes Stores for his shirt and his shoes cost him €30 two years ago. “I cannot come before the judge not dressed properly and neat,” he said, adding “I love my clothes I like to look after myself.”
Defence solicitor Michelle Finan argued that the man’s daughter was entitled to legal aid and that she had already been granted it in the past.
She submitted that she believed the man would have paid for his daughter’s legal fees if he could afford to.
In reply, Judge McMahon said: “I do not believe a word this man says. But given that she is a minor and pregnant I am granting legal aid.”
The girl was remanded on bail to appear again next week when she is to enter a plea to the charge.