The District Court sits in Kilkenny every Monday and Tuesday. It is mainly criminal matters that are dealt with by the District Court on these days. However the second Monday of every month is the family law day in Kilkenny District Court. The fourth Tuesday of every month is the civil law day. The Court will sometimes sit on Thursdays and Fridays also for the hearing of criminal matters.

There are some charges dealt with by the District Court which people may be  entitled to have free legal representation for. The Court decides if a person is entitled to free legal aid based on the severity of the charge against the person and the penalty that the offence carries with it. To assist the Court in reaching a decision as to whether a person would be able to afford to pay for legal representation themselves or should be legally aided by the State a Statement of Means is completed by the applicant and handed into the Court. 

The types of offences for which people will in the majority of cases be entitled to legal aid if they are of limited means are as follows:

• Assault
• Drug possession
• Theft
• Sexual assault
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Criminal damage
• Arson
• Dangerous driving
• Breach of domestic violence Court orders

Types of offences which people might be entitle to legal aid

• Public order offences
• Drink driving
• Drug driving
• Driving without insurance
• Driving without reasonable consideration
• Speeding
• Motor tax offences
• Driving while disqualified

There are however exceptions to this in that where a person has previous convictions and is at risk of a custodial sentence if they are convicted of an offence for which legal aid might not normally be granted they will in fact be entitled to legal aid.  

Fiona Walsh & Co. is on the criminal legal aid panel and the civil (family law) legal aid panel.
 
For any queries regarding District Court matters please contact the office on
​056 7783523 for an appointment.

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance at Fiona Walsh & Co.