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06 Sept 2025

Man who acted as “middle man” in Irene White murder inb Dundalk tells court he can’t find a solicitor willing to represent him in appeal case

Man who acted as “middle man” in Irene White murder inb Dundalk tells court he can’t find a solicitor willing to represent him in appeal case

The late Irene White who was murdered

Reporter:

Fiona Magennis

11 Jun 2024 10:00 PM

A killer described as “the middle man” in the murder of Dundalk woman Irene White almost 20 years ago has told a court he has been unable to advance an appeal against his conviction because he cannot find a solicitor willing to represent him.
Niall Power (51), with an address at Giles Quay, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co Louth had pleaded guilty to the murder of the 43-year-old at her home at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, Co Louth on April 6, 2005. He was sentenced to life in prison in July 2019.
Power - who described himself to gardaí as "the middle man" in arranging the murder of Ms White - was the second man to be given a life sentence for murdering the mother of three 19 years ago. 
The man who actually stabbed Ms White to death, Anthony Lambe (41), of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for life in January 2018 after he pleaded guilty to murder.
 
Power handed himself into gardai the day after the knife attacker had been sentenced to life for the same crime.
 
Both men said they were acting under the instructions of another individual.
 
Power plans to appeal his conviction for the murder.
However at the Court of Appeal yesterday (Monday), he told court president Mr Justice George Birmingham that he has been unable to secure a solicitor to represent him.
“I’ve tried, no one will take me on,” he said. “I’ve rang 20 or 30 different ones, and no one’s interested because of the position I’m in.”
Speaking as he managed a dormant review list of cases, Mr Justice Birmingham said many of the solicitors on the legal aid panel are “very anxious for work”.
 
“What can I do? I’m in prison, my hands are tied here,” Power replied.
Mr Justice Birmingham said he would put the matter back for a number of months and told Power that he will either have to find a solicitor in that time period or say things have “come to an end”.
Power said there had already been a two-and-a-half year period during which time he had been unable to secure representation.
“I can’t personally force a solicitor to take me on. If I can’t get one what am I supposed to do?,” said Power.
Adjourning the matter to December 6, Mr Justice Birmingham reiterated that there were “hundreds” of solicitors available on the legal aid panel.

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