A Limerick firm of solicitors today said they have started an investigation into allegedovercharging of clients in residential institutional abuse cases.
In a statement to the
Liveline
programme on RTÉ Radio, a representative of McMahon, O'Brien and Downes said some people had been overcharged. The spokesperson said that the firm was now carrying out an investigation.
The statement said that anyone who was double-charged would get their money back. People who may have been double-charged, but of which the firm was not yet aware of, were also asked to contact the firm.
Earlier today the director general of the Law Society Ken Murphy said a criminal investigation could yet be launched after a group of people in receipt of allegedly deduction costs from Residential Institution Redress Board (RIRB) awards.
The RIRB was set up on the premise that legal costs would be met by the board. The Law Society today opened a special helpline (1800 242 631) to deal with complaints on the matter.
It said all complaints on this issue would be "fast-tracked" by the committee which would seek to ensure any client who had been double-charged would be refunded.
It has also emerged that the Attorney General Rory Brady has written to the Bar Council and the Law Society complaining about reports of solicitors deducting costs from Residential Institution Redress Board (RIRB) awards.
An estimated 580 legal firms are involved in representing clients appearing before the RIRB.