Criminal Law Solicitor for Dublin
Most criminal cases in Dublin pass through the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street, where the Dublin Metropolitan District Court, the Circuit Court and the Central Criminal Court all sit, with further District Court sittings at Blanchardstown and Tallaght. Rafter Solicitors is a criminal defence practice based in Kilkenny that takes on Dublin matters, and this page explains how that works in practice.
A Kilkenny practice acting in Dublin: how it works for you
We say plainly where we are. Rafter Solicitors has one office, at 26 James Street in Kilkenny, and a Dublin client is represented by the same solicitor who would act for a client in Kilkenny. Consultations for Dublin clients are held by phone or by video, or in Kilkenny if you prefer to meet in person, and court attendance in Dublin is arranged for each listing. Nothing about the preparation changes with the postcode: the summons or charge sheet is read with you, disclosure is requested, and the lawfulness of the stop, search, arrest or interview is examined.
What a Dublin case often adds is volume and pace. Lists are long and listings move quickly, which makes it more important, not less, that your solicitor knows the papers and has spoken to you properly beforehand. We prepare for each date in advance and tell you what will happen before you walk into the building.
For a detention that is under way now, our garda station page for Dublin deals with the interview stage and the right to a solicitor.
Parkgate Street, Blanchardstown and Tallaght: the Dublin courts
The Criminal Courts of Justice at Parkgate Street in Dublin 8 houses the District Court for the Dublin Metropolitan District, the Circuit Court, the Central Criminal Court, the Special Criminal Court and the criminal side of the Court of Appeal, together with the Dublin District Court Bail Office. District Court sittings are also held at Blanchardstown Courthouse on Grove Road in Dublin 15 and at Tallaght Courthouse in Westpark, Dublin 24. Which building your case is listed in is stated on the summons or charge sheet.
Because several courts share the one building on Parkgate Street, we confirm the courtroom and the list with the court office before each date and tell you where to be and when, so that a busy morning does not become a missed appearance.
A first appearance deals with the charge, bail and legal aid, and with whether the matter stays in the District Court or is sent forward. Legal aid depends on means and on the seriousness of the charge and is decided by the court. The path for a particular charge depends on the offence and on current law, so we set it out in consultation rather than in general terms here; the court’s terminology is explained in our District Court glossary.
Dublin city and county: four council areas, one approach
Dublin covers four local authority areas, Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, and clients come to us from Swords and Blanchardstown in the north to Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire and the city centre. The practice is based in Kilkenny, and we are clear about that with every Dublin client; what we offer is the same personal handling of a criminal matter by Alexander Rafter, the principal, from the first conversation to the final hearing.
The practice attends garda stations at any hour, represents clients in the District Court, prepares serious cases for trial, and advises on applications to have a conviction overturned. Dublin matters that are sent forward are handled through to the Circuit Court or Central Criminal Court stage.
Dublin clients frequently come to us after a first appearance at which they had no solicitor, or with a case that has already been adjourned once or twice. We can take a matter over at any stage, obtain what has been served so far, and prepare properly for the next date, including applying for legal aid at that point if it was not dealt with earlier.
To discuss a charge or summons in Dublin, use the contact page to arrange a consultation with Rafter Solicitors. The first conversation is without obligation; if both sides decide to proceed, a letter of engagement sets out the terms before any work begins.
Towns we cover in Dublin
Pages for towns in Dublin: Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Lucan, Raheny, Rathmines, Stepaside, Swords, Tallaght.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sound legal advice is based on years of training, hard work, and passion, as well as familiarity with legislation and precedent and sound consideration. You’ll find all that and more at Rafter Solicitors.
- 26 James Street, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Written by Alexander Rafter, Solicitor. Last reviewed October 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice. The position depends on the circumstances of each case and on current law.
In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
