Solicitor Gerald Kean’s appeal on misconduct finding adjourned

An appeal by solicitor Gerald Kean arising from a finding of professional misconduct against him has been adjourned to September.

A Law Society Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal recommended last May that Mr Kean be fined €20,000 for misconduct following complaints by a former client over services rendered by the solicitor.

Christopher O'Neill, Drumsna, Co Leitrim, had complained to the tribunal Mr Kean knowingly misled him into believing the solicitor had put in a defence to a District Court debt case against Mr O'Neill.

The former client said Mr Kean also failed to lodge an appeal against the €1,067 decree and had misled Mr O’Neill into believing such an appeal had been lodged.

The tribunal found misconduct in relation to three allegations but not in relation to three others.

Yesterday, a solicitor for Mr Kean asked for an adjournment to allow him time to reply to papers filed by the Law Society.

The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, adjourned the matter for hearing in September.