A Roscommon solicitor was paid the highest amount of legal aid in 2021 in the Shannonside region.
Strokestown native Phelim O'Neill was paid almost €290,000 under the scheme last year.
Criminal legal aid is paid by the state for people who can't afford to mount their own defence in court.
Over 68 million euro was paid out under this scheme in 2021 nationwide, including VAT.
An analysis of the payments to solicitors from this region reveal that hundreds of thousands of euro was paid out to legal professional to represent defendants in the District and Circuit Courts.
Strokestown native Phelim O'Neill was paid the highest amount of local legal professionals - earning a total of €289,000 in 2021 - up from the €198,388 in criminal legal in 2020.
Other solicitors who work in Roscommon courts who secured payments under the legal aid scheme include Gearoid Geraghty who was paid €120,697, Mark Cooney €110,664, Mary Mullarkey €46,599.53 and Alan Gannon paid €42,766.
Leitrim based Gerard P McGovern was paid €240,398 for work as part of the free legal aid scheme last year
In Longford, Brid Mimnagh was paid over €156,000 (€156,858) with Fiona Baxter also paid €107,531 last year as part of her legal work.
Over €90,000 (€90,353) was paid out to John J Quinn with Frank Geraty was paid out €89,531 in 2021.
A full list of figures can be found below:
