Legal costs for Clare County Council rose by two hundred thousand euro last year.
Figures provided to local councillors reveal a total of just over eight hundred and 39 thousand euro spent on solicitors and barristers fees in 2014, up from six hundred and thirty nine thousand euro the previous year.
The bulk of the money, around six hundred and twelve thousand euro went to the council's appointed firm of solicitors, Michael P. Houlihan and Company in Ennis with most of the remaining sum spent on barristers.
The County CEO has explained the legal fees are not specific to last year as some cases may date back years, and he insists outsourcing legal representation is cheaper than having an in-house legal depertment in the council.
