Sir, – I have sympathy with Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy’s objective of wanting to effect greater equality in our imbalanced society.
Where I draw the line, however, is with the manner he goes about attempting to achieve this objective.
For that reason, I object to being obligated to fund his political structures. This, as a taxpayer, I am being required to do by having to support the cost of his free legal aid so that he can make donations to his political organisation.
As a €87,258 salary earner (plus expenses) Mr Murphy is much better off than most. It is his choice as to how he wishes to spend his income.
That he is now receiving legal aid simply because he donates a proportion to fund his political movement is absurd. Other correspondents to your page would appear to agree.
If I donate my income to a charitable cause am I now eligible for legal aid should I require it? Stretching it a bit further, I might even be eligible for social welfare assistance!
The judgement raises a number of issues not least of which is whether there are imperfections in our law that allows the free legal aid system be used for purposes other than intended.
– Yours, etc,
P G HOEY
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.