Farm-shooting lawyer 'goes back on promise' to work for free

Paul McIntyre (left) said at the time of his acquittal that lawyers Antony Shaw and Barry Hart (right) were 'tremendous'. Picture / Northern Advocate

A top Auckland lawyer has been accused of reneging on a vow to represent Northland farmer Paul McIntyre for free.

Barrister Barry Hart successfully defended Mr McIntyre against charges after the farmer shot one of three thieves he caught stealing his quadbike in the dead of night on his isolated Bay of Island farm.

Mr McIntyre, 49, was cleared in April of any wrongdoing for shooting a pellet from a shotgun through the neck and shoulder of quadbike thief Sam Hati as he fled in a ute from the Whangape farm.

The battle to clear his name has cost Mr McIntyre about $150,000.

A national campaign by Northland Federated Farmers (NFF) raised more $60,000 toward the costs, but he will still be left seriously out of pocket. NFF has already paid Mr Hart $20,000 toward the costs.

Mr McIntyre said in August Mr Hart had given him a year to pay the bill but he may have to sell the 100ha farm the McIntyres have owned for almost 100 years -- a price that would affect him far more than the monetary cost.

But Northland Federated Farmers, in its latest newsletter, says Mr Hart originally gave the group an undertaking that he would not charge any fees for the defence.

"But (Mr Hart) subsequently proceeded not only to send a hefty invoice, but also a mortgage document seeking security over Paul's farm," the newsletter states.

"NFF have assisted Paul in seeking independent legal advice, thereby engaging Michael Ring, QC, of Auckland in order to protect (Mr McIntyre's) interests as well as the funds raised through our public campaign.

"The money is currently invested and securely protected. (Mr Hart) has been asked to provide an explanation as to why he went back on his original assertion -- that he would charge nothing. We are still awaiting his response."

A spokeswoman for Mr Hart said he had seen the comments but was too busy in court to respond to them at this stage.

She said Mr Hart would issue a statement about the allegations -- probably via email -- by the end of this week.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)