The Gazette 1973

(5) The fee payable to the Official Assignee on the realisation of assets in bankruptcy (currently at \ per cent) should either be abolished or limited to a maxi- mum of £25. Eighteenth Interim Report of the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure dealing with the Execution of Money Judgments. lOp. (1) The committee recommend that money judg- ments in the District Court and Circuit Court should be of the same status as High Court judgments. There- fore the lower Courts should have similar jurisdiction as the High Court as to the making of the various forms of execution orders, stop orders, etc., allowing procedure and implementation to be governed by the rules of each Court. (2) The judgment mortgage system should be re- placed. In its place a Central Judgments Registry attached to the High Court should be established established wherein all judgments for £100 or more should be registered. The registration would operate as a legal charge on all interest (other than as trustee) of the judgment-debtor in immovable property vested in him at the date of registration or vesting in him thereafter during the lifetime of the judgment. Mr. Justice Kenny of the High Court dissents to this recom- mendation which he believes would considerably delay conclusion of all sales of land. For example the regis- tration of a judgment against Sean Murphy would mean the purchasers from every person bearing that name would have to be conclusively satisfied that the person from whom they are buying is not the same person against whom the judgment has been entered. MURDER TRIAL LAWYERS GET THE SACK

witnesses who appeared in the case yesterday. Counsel had refused to do this, despite the fact that the ques- tions were to the point. The defendant said that the Justice in the District Court would confirm that his counsel, appointed under free legal aid, had failed to appear at earlier hearings. When told by Mr. Justice Kenny that he would have to defend himself, Gannon replied that he would ask the Court to appoint new counsel and would ask for time to instruct them. "I want a new trial," he declared. The State prosecutor, Mr. Noel K. Macdonald, S.C., who earlier objected to a new trial, said that while no injustice would be done to the accused, i twas impor- tant that justice also be seen to be done and said that the matter of a new trial was a matter for Justice Kenny. He denied that any deal had been done. Discussions Mr. Padraig Boyd, who led the defence team, which included Mr. David Montgomery, B.L., and Mr. Fergus Taaffe, solicitor, said he had had consultations with the prosecution which was normal legal practice. In his discussions with his client he had suggested a certain course. Mr. Justice Kenny said he was prepared to accede to Mr. Gannon's request for a new trial though he wanted it clearly understood that it might not now take place until after Christmas and in the meantime the accused would have to remain in custody. Irish Independent (4 October 1973) Handicaps 14 and Under: 1st, M. A. O'Carroll (5), 31 points; 2nd, P. L. Tracey (8), 30 points (on second nine). Handicaps 15 and Over: 1st, Michael Kelly (18), 32 points; 2nd, P. D. Fallon (17), 29 points. First Nine : George O'Sullivan (7), 17 points. Second Nine : W. E. T. Bradshaw (14), 16 points. Competitor from more than 30 Miles : M. P. Keane (8), 27 points (on second nine). Best Score of 3 Cards by Lo t: Barry Doyle (10) 26 points.

A young Dublin man on a murder charge sacked his counsel and solicitor in the Central Criminal Court yesterday and was granted a new trial. Among other things, the defendant, William Gannon (21), said his lawyers had made a deal against his wishes with the prosecution involving his pleading guilty to man- slaughter. Gannon, of St. Brigid's Flats, Sheriff Street, is charged with murdering 21-year-old barman James Booth earlier this year at an O'Connell Street lounge bar. He pleads not guilty. Yesterday he told Mr. Justice Kenny that his counsel had also refused to cross-examine all prosecution wit- nesses according to his instructions, and had failed to turn up at his earlier District Court hearing. When the Court sat yesterday morning, Gannon rose in the dock and told Mr. Justice Kenny : "I want to sack my counsel on the grounds that this man told me last night that he had made a deal with the State counsel that I plead guilty in the case." Brother's Plea One of Gannon's brothers came from the body of the Court and said that the senior defence counsel in the case, Mr. Padraig Boyd, had suggested in the presence of the accused's family that he plead guilty to a charge of manslaughter. "This is not fair to him and I wish to protest most strongly in the interests of justice," he declared. Gannon told the Court that he had drawn up a list of questions which he wanted his counsel to put to SOLICITORS' GOLFING SOCIETY Autumn outing at Hermitage Golf Club on Friday, 28th September 1973. Results : Captain's Prize : 1st, David Bell (18), 36 points; 2nd, John O'Donnell (11), 30 points (on second nine). St. Patrick's Plate: 1st, W. R. White (8), 31 points; 2nd, B. O'Brien Kenney (4), 30 points (on second nine). Veteran's Cup : 1st, Dan Lynch (6), 25 points; 2nd, M. E. Hanahoe (23), 24 points.

226