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  The Victims' Stories

One in Four [Ireland]
Downloaded October 18, 2005

JOHN
A COPY of his award cheque was the closest one 86-year-old man, whom we will call John, got to seeing the full amount of his compensation for years of abuse in a state institution.

Instead, his solicitor presented him with a slimmed-down version from which he had shaved off €10,000 for expenses, on top of a similar amount he had already received from the Redress Board.

This included the cost of ferrying a doctor by helicopter from a golf course to Dublin to give evidence at the Redress Board hearing where the man's case was being considered, although itemised details and receipts for these costs were not attached.

A group representing victims said the need for helicopter transport was bizarre given that there was at least a month's notice given of forthcoming hearings.

The barrister handling the case told the man's family they did not owe him anything because his costs were paid by the Board. But the solicitor told them they had to pay the barrister's costs. The solicitor deducted 10pc of the €100,000 award.

He claimed his total costs and expenses were €22,000 but he had received €10,000 of this from the Redress Board, and was giving a €2,000 rebate to the family.

He ended his letter to his client with the words "paid with thanks" as if he had given them a choice in the matter.

Angry at the high level of costs, and the fact that there had been no advance mention of charges, the family contacted Noel Kelly of Survivors of Child Abuse which led to a meeting with the legal firm.

They were told the solicitor had since left the firm, and have been reimbursed with €1,500 of the deducted money.

LINDA
One elderly victim, who is about to go before the Redress Board, was asked for a "nominal" fee by her solicitor, despite the fact that her costs should be fully covered by the Residential Redress Board.

Her daughter Linda said a legal firm convinced her mother she was getting a bargain.

"She's only involved in the process the last three or four months," said Linda.

"She had her first appointment with her solicitor and in the course of that appointment (I was there with her at the time) and I asked him about the payment situation and everything because, to be honest, I hadn't read too much about it at this stage.

"He said that the costs would be covered by the Redress Board, but then went on to say there would be costs that may not be covered that he would be seeking from mum.

"At the same time it was kind of like he was fluffing up himself because he said that other solicitors do look for an awful lot more, and that he would only look for a nominal fee.

"She did sign something but she didn't get a copy of the document."

PETER
Peter was before the redress board and got his award. The Redress Board paid his legal fees. Then he got a bill for €6,999.85.

"That was what he deducted from my award, as he said to me on the day 'That's to pay the barrister' - a man I met for five minutes."

Peter rang the Law Society and was put on to the Taxing Master. "But they sent me out a load of literature that you would need to hire another solicitor to interpret for you.

"I got this award in November and on the day you have other emotions to deal with in your head and to me it wasn't about money.

"I wanted an apology. I wanted if possible to face those that I needed to face. But even that didn't happen.

"Although I was at the redress board, I never met a member of the board."

 
 

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