Longford judges in €85k expenses bill

Judges with links to the Longford and wider midlands area have claimed almsot €85,000 in expenses for the first six months of the year.

Judge Seamus Hughes secured almost €23,000 in expenses during the January to June period, making him the second highest claiming district court judge in the country.

Figures obtained through the Courts Service found the Westport man claimed €22,755 in expenses from January to June this year. That consisted of €16,643 in subsistence with another €6,105 coming by way of travel to weekly court sittings in Longford and Westmeath.

Former Longford County Councillor, Alan Mitchell claimed €16,547 during the first half of 2015. Approximately €10,654 of that overall figure was made up of subsistence with the remaining €5,892 accrued via travel expenses.

Judge Conal Gibbons, who has presided in the Longford area on occasions, claimed €14,618.

Both Judge Mitchell and Judge Gibbons are classed as ‘moveable’ judges which means because they are not assigned to any particular area, more mileage than other members of the judiciary can be clocked up travelling between court venues around the country.

Longford native, Deirdre Gearty also featured on the list, taking home €15,993 in expenses. Ms Gearty, who was appointed to the bench two years ago, claimed €9,776 for subsistence costs and a further €6,102 in travel-related expenses