A former property developer, charged with wasting Garda time and making false reports about his alleged abduction, was granted Free Legal Aid today after a court heard he had no money and is now living off the generosity of friends.
Kevin McGeever (66), with a former address at “Nirvana” Ballywinna, Craughwell, Co Galway, and more recently in Clontarf, Dublin 3, is charged with wasting Garda time in relation to a six-month-long investigation into his alleged kidnapping three years ago.
Solicitor Geroid Geraghty applied to Galway Circuit Criminal Court for Free Legal Aid on behalf of his client.
He said Mr McGeever’s assets were tied up in the United Arab Emirates and he did not have access to them.
“Mr McGeever is living off the generosity of friends at present. He has no claims to assets within the State, he has no means of support and I’m applying for Free Legal Aid. If you like, I can supply a statement of means,” Mr Geraghty said.
Mr Conor Fahy BL, prosecuting, said he had no objection to the application as the State was aware of the financial situation.
Judge Rory McCabe granted free legal aid to Mr Geraghty and for one junior and one senior counsel to represent Mr McGeever at his trial.
Mr McGeever, who had been reported missing in May, 2012, was found by a couple wandering in a confused and dishevelled state on a boreen in Co Leitrim in January 2013.