Tribunal asks that solicitor be struck off

A solicitor’s disciplinary tribunal has recommended that a Co Cork solicitor be struck off the roll after she was found guilty of eight allegations of professional misconduct.

Mairéad Casey, also known as Margaret, of Crestfield Heights, Glanmire, Co Cork, had failed to file documents related to a mortgage. This meant Ulster Bank had no security on the property and was unable to take legal action against a couple who had defaulted on their loan.

Ms Casey had also failed to lodge a settlement agreement at the High Court related to a land dispute. As a result the owner of the farmland did not have proper title and was unable to consider approaches from wind energy companies.

Ms Casey, who had practised with her brother at O’Casey Co, North Main Street, Bandon, Co Cork, had also failed to reply to queries from the Law Society.

Eight findings

The eight findings were made in three separate cases taken yesterday against the solicitor. They followed 21 other findings of professional misconduct against Ms Casey between March 2008 and 2012. Those cases had lead to her being censured, fined almost €20,000 and told she could not practise without supervision.

Ms Casey was not present for yesterday’s hearing. The tribunal was told a solicitor had emailed the Law Society five minutes before the hearing to say Ms Casey would not be attending and requesting an adjournment. Her elderly mother had been knocked down by a car and Ms Casey was caring for her, the email said.

Level of co-operation

Paul Anthony McDermott, for the Law Society, drew the tribunal’s attention to her previous poor level of co-operation. Ms Casey had not responded to a lot of the correspondence sent by the Law Society and had also ignored correspondence from solicitors who had taken actions against her.

Solicitors Joan O’Neill and David Irwin, for the Law Society, urged the tribunal to strike Ms Casey off the roll.

The three-man tribunal chaired by Edward McEllin said they would recommend Ms Casey be stuck off. “The respondent is not a fit person to be a member of the profession,” Mr McEllin said.

The recommendation will go before the president of the Law Society for consideration before going to the High Court for approval.