If you could get the help you need from some other source without undue hardship to yourself or your dependants, the service may be refused. It is certainly under great strain and there can be long delays - longer than the duration of a typical holiday visit. However, urgent cases are given priority. In each of the two largest cities, Dublin and Cork, there is a voluntary Free Legal Advice Centre. There are evening advice clinics, to help those unable to attend during the working day.
Details are available by phone.
It gives advice on family, debt-rescheduling, welfare and employment matters. Obviously it is designed to meet particular local needs. LA for court proceedings. In criminal cases, you may chose a lawyer, if you wish, from a panel of volunteers. The centres which provide civil legal advice also handle requests for aid in court proceedings.