A MAN facing charges under anti-gang legislation has secured the permission of the High Court to challenge a District Court refusal of his application for legal aid.
Eddie O’Loughlin, who denies a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in Galway between February and June 2010 contrary to section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 2009, claims Judge Geoffrey Browne did not conduct a proper inquiry into his means before refusing him legal aid.
Mr O’Loughlin, Rockfield Park, Rahoon Galway, yesterday secured leave from Mr Justice Michael Peart to bring judicial review proceedings to quash Judge Browne’s refusal
It is claimed the judge failed to conduct an inquiry into Mr O’Loughlin’s means in breach of his rights under the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights.