After a groundswell of community support in the Northern Beaches, Paul McGirr has agreed to act pro-bono for Darko Desic.

Mr Desic, affectionately known in his community as “Douggie”, turned himself into police a fortnight ago after escaping Grafton prison in 1992 for fear of being deported to war-torn Yugoslavia.

He had been living and working in and around Sydney’s Northern Beaches, including as a stonemason, until the coronavirus pandemic left him homeless and unable to support himself.

Mr McGirr is now considering an application for mercy to the NSW Governor.

He told Channel 9 on Tuesday:

"He's struggling," Mr McGirr said.
"He's just humbled by the fact that there's people out there that want to see him get out.
"The prison system is designed for rehabilitation, and he's proven over 30 years he hasn't reoffended, so what's the purpose of locking him away again?"
His defence lawyer said Desic has work and accommodation lined up and has trained as a stonemason.

Mr McGirr was also interviewed on Channel 7’s “The Latest” on Monday evening.