A couple accused of giving false statements for an appeal by Conor McGregor over a civil rape case have refused to accept the book of evidence while their solicitor was not present as a result of the continuing legal aid dispute.

Samantha O’Reilly and Steven Cummins, both aged 39, appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on Monday.

Their case follows an investigation by An Garda Síochána into evidence filed in McGregor’s failed appeal against a jury’s finding that he raped Nikita Hand.

O’Reilly, a former neighbour of Hand, and Cummins have been charged with giving statements in judicial proceedings that were false and that they knew to be false. They have not entered pleas.

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O’Reilly faces two counts of giving false statements in January and May of last year. The offences are alleged to have happened at Lincoln Lane, Dublin.

She was arrested with Cummins at their home in Cherry Orchard Green, Ballyfermot, in September.

They were to be served the book of evidence in court on Monday and a garda said the book was ready to be served.

When asked whether they would accept the book of evidence or have the matter put back, O’Reilly said she wanted it put back. The couple told the court that their solicitor, Tony Collier, was on strike over the criminal legal aid dispute.

Both defendants refused to accept service of the book as Collier was not present to act for them in court.

O’Reilly and Cummins were arrested last year after a court in Dublin referred...

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