A FINANCIAL dispute has been settled between the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, and solicitors who acted for women who successfully challenged the State's failure to treat female and male social welfare recipients equally. Last week the Minister secured a court order preventing the Dublin City Sheriff, acting on the instructions of the solicitors, from seizing goods from the Minister's office.
It was claimed solicitors Cathal O'Donovan and Patrick Crowley, practising as O'Donovan Solicitors, of Inns Court, Winetavern Street, Dublin, had asked the Dublin City Sheriff to seize the goods because of the alleged failure of the Minister to complete payment of a sum they alleged to be owed following the litigation.
The Minister claimed an agreement was reached regarding payment. He said the amount was about £61,000 but after negotiation this was reduced to £41,000, provided it was paid within 21 days. He said the agreement was honoured on September 24th. In court yesterday, Mr George Birmingham, for the Minister, said the matter had been settled.