Solicitor Disciplinary Tribunal Decisions

Introduction

Welcome to the Irish Claims Board’s solicitor disciplinary records page. We believe that understanding solicitor conduct is crucial for anyone navigating the claims process. Remember, the Irish Claims Board offers a free assessment on claims—we should be your first port of call before engaging a solicitor. Our expert team is here to provide clear, unbiased advice, empowering you to make informed decisions without cost or commitment. This page highlights disciplinary records to help you stay aware of solicitor conduct and choose trustworthy professionals when needed.

Back to listDetails for Michael O’Neill
Name
Michael O’Neill
Address
Kingscourt, 33 South Main Street, Naas, Co Kildare
Date of Order
17/07/2017
Decision
 
In the matter of Michael O’Neill, a solicitor previously  practising as Michael O’Neill at Kingscourt, 33 South Main Street, Naas, Co  Kildare, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [2842/DT71/15;  2842/DT79/15; and High Court record 2017 no 61 SA]
Law Society of Ireland (applicant)
Michael O’Neill (respondent solicitor)
On 2 March 2017, the Solicitors  Disciplinary Tribunal found the respondent solicitor guilty of misconduct in  his practice as a solicitor in that he:
1)   Failed to keep record  books of account, in breach of regulation 12 of the Solicitors  Accounts Regulations, thereby making it  difficult to ascertain the true position of client funds in the practice,
2)   Allowed a deficit of  client funds totalling €521,142 as of 31 May 2014 to arise in his practice,
3)   Made round-sum  transfers in the client account on a regular basis (207 transfers in a two-year  period) purportedly as fees, but failed to post any fee notes in the two year  period,
4)   Failed to ensure  there was furnished to the Society a closing accountant’s report, as required  by regulation 26(2) of the Solicitors Accounts Regulations in a timely manner or at all, having  ceased practice on 4 August 2014.
The tribunal ordered that the matters be  sent forward to the High Court and, in High Court record 2017 no 61 SA on 17  July 2017, the High Court ordered that:
1)   The respondent  solicitor is not a fit person to be a member of the solicitors’ profession,
2)   The name of the respondent  solicitor shall be struck from the Roll of Solicitors,
3)   The Law Society  recover the costs of the proceedings and the costs of the proceedings before  the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, to include witness expenses when taxed or  ascertained.