The Bar Council has said there is a “leadership vacuum in government” and that the situation remains at an impasse following some correspondence with Taoiseach Simon Harris and justice minister Helen McEntee.

It has also suggested that further action could be necessary if the government continues to fail to deliver on the reversal of FEMPI-era pay cuts.

Protests took place at 11 courthouses around the State, including the Four Courts in Dublin as well as courthouses in Carlow, Ennis, Cork, Buncrana, Naas, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford, Sligo and Clonmel.

Pictured above, from left to right, are Hazel Cloughley Jones BL, criminal State bar committee chairperson Seán Guerin SC, Bar Council chairperson Sara Phelan SC, Seamus Clarke BL, Rachel Sweeney BL and Lara Crowe BL.