Northern Ireland

Derry solicitor in court on dozens of false accounting charges

Derry solicitor Damien McDaid (pictured left). Picture from ITV
Derry solicitor Damien McDaid (pictured left). Picture from ITV Derry solicitor Damien McDaid (pictured left). Picture from ITV

A 42-YEAR-OLD solicitor has appeared before Derry Magistrates Court on dozens of false accounting charges.

Damien McDaid, from the Templegrove area of Derry, is accused of committing 61 offences between July 2010 and January 2012.

A preliminary enquiry was told that the charges relate to falsified legal aid documents. It is alleged the documents detailed the number of hours he claimed to have worked for various clients.

He is accused of sending the documents to the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission, now the Legal Services Agency NI.

The agency, which is part of the Department of Justice, handles legal aid claims.

Applications for legal aid have to be made via a solicitor.

When asked if he had anything to say to the charges, Mr McDaid replied "no".

The defendant, who was freed on bail, will appear before Derry Crown Court on November 16.