Cavan solicitor suspended from practice

A Cavan based solicitor has been suspended from practising after an emergency Law Society committee hearing found he had been “dishonest” in his handling of almost €300,000 of client monies.

The Law Society of Ireland confirmed the suspension of Ronan O’Brien of Ronan O’Brien & Co Solicitors of Church Street, Cavan, in a notice issued to the Celt last Thursday for publication.

Mr O’Brien was suspended from the roll of solicitors last week by order of David Barniville, the High Court president.

The Celt contacted Mr O’Brien for a statement but none was received at the time of going to print.

Asked to comment further, a spokesperson for the Law Society said: “The Law Society cannot provide further information on this matter at this time as the proceedings are ongoing.”

The Celt understands, however, that a High Court order suspending a solicitor from practice generally remains in force pending further order of the High Court. It is open to either Mr O’Brien or the Law Society to apply to the High Court to have the suspension lifted.

The Sunday Independent reported at the weekend that the Law Society investigation concerning Mr O’Brien began last February following a request from the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA), which had received a complaint from William and Lorraine Kehoe in September 2023.

The Kehoes alleged Mr O’Brien was holding about €300,000 from the sale of their property in Virginia since July 2021 and had failed to remit this sum to Start Mortgages. The payment went through on April 18.

For full story, see tomorrow's print edition.