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 Claire Keaney
Name
Claire Keaney
Address
Keaney & Company, Solicitors, PO box 42, Pearse Park, Dundalk, Co Louth
Date of Order
17/10/2016
Decision
 
In the matter of Claire Keaney, a solicitor previously  practising as Keaney & Company, Solicitors, at PO box 42, Pearse Park,  Dundalk, Co Louth, and in the matter of the Solicitors  Acts 1954-2011 [7372/DT53/15, DT54/15, DT55/15, DT56/15, and High Court  record 2016 no 127 SA]
Law Society of Ireland (applicant)
Claire Keaney (respondent solicitor)
On 19 April 2016, the Solicitors  Disciplinary Tribunal heard four complaints against the above solicitor and  delivered a decision in relation to each of those complaints on 25 May 2016.
7372/DT53/15
The tribunal found the respondent  solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that, up to  the date of referral to the tribunal, she:
1)   Failed to stamp and  register her client’s title to a property in Co Meath, purchased in July 2013,  in a timely manner or at all,
2)   Failed to respond to  the Society’s correspondence and, in particular, the Society’s letters of 14  April 2014, 1 May 2014, 13 May 2014 and 25 June 2014 in a timely manner, within  the time provided, or at all,
3)   Failed to comply with  the direction made by the Complaints and Client Relations Committee at its  meeting on 22 July 2014 that she furnish a written update to the Society no  later than 1 September 2014.
7372/DT54/15
The tribunal found the respondent  solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that, up to  the date of referral to the tribunal, she:
1)   Failed to stamp and  register her clients title to the property in Co Kilkenny, purchased in 2011,  in a timely manner or at all,
2)   Failed to comply with  the direction made at the meeting of the Complaints and Client Relations  Committee on 22 July 2014 that she furnish a full response to the Society,  including a copy of the transfer deed, her ledger card, and any other relevant  documentation on or before 1 September 2014.
7372/DT55/15
The tribunal found the respondent  solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that she:
1)   Failed to complete  the stamping and registration of her client’s title and that of her client’s  nephew and his wife to property in Tallaght, Dublin 24, having been instructed  to do same and paid for doing same on 4 July 2008, in a timely manner or at all,
2)   Failed to respond to  the Society’s correspondence dated 28 May 2014, 13 June 2014, 30 June 2014,  and  29 July 2014 in a timely manner,  within the time provided, or at all,
3)   Failed to comply with  the direction made by the Complaints and Client Relations Committee at its  meeting on 22 July 2014 that she furnish specific documentation to the committee  on or before 1 September 2014.
7372/DT56/15
The tribunal found the respondent  solicitor guilty of misconduct in her practice as a solicitor in that she:
1)   Failed to stamp and  register her clients’ title to property in Co Kilkenny, purchased in 2011, in a  timely manner or at all,
2)   Failed to comply with  the direction of the Complaints and Client Relations Committee made at its  meeting on 29 July 2014 that she respond to the Society on or before 12 August  2014,
3)   Continues to withhold  moneys paid to her by her clients to stamp and register her clients’ title  deeds.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal  referred the matter to the High Court and, in proceedings entitled 2016 no 127  SA on 17 October 2016, the High Court made orders that:
1)   The respondent  solicitor’s name be struck off the Roll of Solicitors, 
2)   The respondent  solicitor pay the whole of the costs of the Society, to be taxed by a taxing  master of the High Court in default of agreement – execution and registration  of the said costs order to be stayed for a period of nine months.