Solicitor who was suspended filed papers as ‘retired’ lawyer

A SUSPENDED solicitor accused of withholding about €450,000 from an accident victim recently applied for probate on behalf of a widow, describing himself as ‘retired’, the High Court has heard.

Declan O’Callaghan yesterday admitted to a judge that he could have been ‘more accurate’ when he described himself as a ‘retired solicitor’ – rather than suspended – in official documents last month.

After hearing his evidence, the Law Society concluded he was ‘certainly skirting round’ an element of court orders issued against him in July.

He has been suspended from practising as a solicitor or having any involvement with his Co. Roscommon law firm, Kilrane O’Callaghan, since July 30 last.

Ahead of yesterday’s probate case, in which he applied in his capacity as power of attorney, Mr O’Callaghan denied breaching High Court orders preventing him from working as a solicitor, saying: ‘I had no intention of misleading anybody.’

Ultimately, the Law Society said that while it felt ‘deep dissatisfaction at his conduct’, it would not ‘press’ the judge to make any contempt-ofcourt finding against Mr O’Callaghan.

Separately, a High Court summons has reportedly been issued against Mr O’Callaghan and his law firm seeking the return of €450,000 from a €5.2million personal injury award to an accident victim he represented.