The Irish Times
The Law Society has initiated a High Court application aimed at having suspended solicitor Declan O’Callaghan struck off the roll of solicitors for professional misconduct over his handling of a land deal in Co Mayo.
The society’s application is on hold pending the outcome of Mr O’Callaghan’s challenge over the procedures adopted by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in reaching its findings last year of professional misconduct over the 2007 land deal. Mr O’Callaghan claims the tribunal breached his rights to fair procedures.
The society, in documents put before the High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville on Monday, agreed with the tribunal’s strike-off recommendation. Neither the tribunal nor society can make strike-off orders. Instead it is a matter for the courts.
Barrister Michael Mullooly, for Mr O’Callaghan, said his client was bringing a judicial review-type application over the tribunal’s procedures. If his challenge succeeded the issue of a fresh appeal would arise.
