Joch McLean avoids full-time custodial sentence

Paul McGirr, instructing Michael Smith barrister, has successfully argued that Joch McLean, the son of former Queensland origin player Mike McLean, should avoid full-time imprisonment after he was convicted of commercial drug supply.

District Court Judge Andrew Scotting issued Mr McLean a section 11 “Griffith” remand allowing him to continue rehabilitation with Elite Athlete Wellbeing Services, operated by Jan Earl.

“The ball is in his court,” Paul McGirr told the Daily Telegraph. “He needs to keep on the straight and narrow or he’ll go in. Simple as that.”

Craig Young a 'stand-up bloke' for supporting Brett Finch: Paul McGirr

Paul McGirr has passionately defended the character of St George Illawarra Dragons Chairman Craig Young after he received criticism for providing a letter of support for former NRL player Brett Finch in his sentencing proceedings.

“He’s a stand-up bloke,” McGirr told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Craig has illustrated to me and the Finch family that if you can’t rely on people you think are your mates in your time of need, then they aren’t true mates. Many others offered silent support but Craig was prepared to not only put in writing his support but also front up to court and say it under oath. He wasn’t there to be popular. He was there to stand up and support.

“He knows all the facts and made it clear he despises anything to do with this type of offence. A great number of people aren’t interested in knowing the full story about why and how Brett committed this offence.

“He’s guilty regardless of the reasoning but Craig on oath made it clear that he doesn’t believe Brett has a sexual interest in children but drugs put him in this position.

“I’ve known Craig for over a decade and if I was going over the trenches, I’d want him next to me.”

Mr Finch is represented by McGirr & Associates.

Josh Dugan may sue Cronulla Sharks after COVID breach base

Former State of Origin star Josh Dugan will consider suing Cronulla for wrongful dismissal over his messy departure from the Sharks that ended his NRL career.

Dugan’s solicitor, Paul McGirr, said the ex-NSW and Australian champion was wrongly terminated by the Sharks over alleged Covid breaches when travelling near Lithgow in the state’s central west in August last year.

The matter is before the courts with Magistrate Kasey Pearce to hand down her decision on December 2.

Dugan and his housemate, Ben Williams, were charged with two counts each of failing to comply with a noticed direction under the Public Health Act, to which they have pleaded not guilty.

McGirr argued in Lithgow Court on August 31 that the case against the pair was flawed as his clients had no knowledge of the Covid legislation or restrictions at the time.

If Dugan loses the case, he will immediately appeal.

NRL 2022: Josh Dugan could sue Cronulla Sharks over sacking, alleged Covid breaches | Daily Telegraph

Paul McGirr strongly affirms the legal rights of NRL players the subject of serious allegations

Paul McGirr today hit out at the Australian Rugby League Commission’s anticipated announcement to stand down players charged with serious offences.

Mr McGirr said it was “diverting the criminal justice system” by seeking to take action against star St George Illawarra player Jack De Belin, who has been charged with aggravated sexual assault by NSW Police, and that civil action against the NRL was possible.

“If he’s not playing football, his earning capacity reduces. The thing with Rugby League is that you’re on show in relation to your capacity to earn more money. He wouldn’t be able to play. Third parties, sponsorships, endorsements, everything. No one would want to touch him with a barge pole, all on the basis of him being punished without any finding from any court. In essence, it could break his career,” Mr McGirr told the Daily Telegraph.

“It has nothing to do with his conduct of going out, drinking, partying, or anything else. It’s the fact an allegation has been made - if that’s what they’ve taken their action over, I don’t agree with it. People are innocent unless proven guilty. Some people say ‘until’ - it’s not until. It’s innocent unless you are proven guilty.”

The case could take 18 months to proceed through the courts to finality and if found not guilty, Mr De Belin will have been out of the game for a considerable period of time, jeopardising his playing career.

Mr McGirr indicated that the the NRL was clearly reacting to pressure from commentators about ‘violence against women’ which tended to suggest that it had already made up its mind about De Belin.

“I’ve done hundreds of serious offences cases where people have actually been found not guilty,” Mr McGirr said.

“Certainly I don’t condone violence on women in any way whatsoever. But just because someone makes an allegation or someone is charged, that does not mean they are guilty of it. Let’s wait and see what the court system does. What they’re doing is basically saying we don’t condone violence against women. I dare say De Belin doesn’t condone violence against women.”

Mr McGirr later appeared on Macquarie Sports Radio to discuss the matter.

Section 10 dismissal for NRL Star

Paul FC McGirr was able to obtain a section 10 dismissal for Mr Jennings last week, as the Daily Telegraph reports:

Lawyer Paul McGirr told the court it was a “very unfortunate incident” that reflected the adage “nothing good happens after midnight”.

“Mr Jennings had thought sometimes because of the colour of his skin he might be targeted,” Mr McGirr said.

“It’s extremely embarrassing to him, to his club and most importantly to his ­family, because it was not the way he was brought up.”

He said the recently-married ­Jennings, who regularly takes part in charity functions and school and hospital visits, had been punished enough.

“He’s a quiet gentleman always happy to assist,” Mr McGirr said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/roosters-michael-jennings-gets-12-month-bond-for-abusing-police-in-parramatta-car-park/story-fni0cx12-1227644336412