Activist Lawyer

Episode 69: Professor Donncha O’Connell

In this week's episode, Sarah speaks with Professor Donncha O’Connell, Established Professor of Law in the School of Law, University Galway.

Episode 68: Gary Daly

In this week's episode, Sarah is joined by human rights solicitor and partner with Daly Khurshid Solicitors, Gary Daly. Gary discusses the effectiveness of activism and the law through his work on discrimination, immigration and social welfare and housing law as well as his time spent in Palestine, Calais and other locations where he provides voluntary legal support to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers as well as human rights organisations.
 

Episode 67: Danielle Ayres

Sarah is joined by employment law specialist Danielle Ayres of Primas Law.  Danielle shares her experience as a solicitor, juggling family life and supporting women facing maternity challenges and discrimination around pregnancy and related issues.   Danielle and Sarah highlight the importance of flexible working, managing menopause in the workplace as well as Danielle’s role in the fantastic organisation and campaign ‘Pregnant then Screwed.’
Follow the links below for more on Danielle’s work and the ‘Pregnant then Screwed’ Campaign.
https://www.primaslaw.co.uk/team/danielle-ayres/
https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/

Episode 66: Honza Cervenka

In this week's episode, our host, Sarah, is joined by solicitor of England & Wales and a California attorney, Honza Cervenka from law firm McAllister Olivarius.

Episode 65: Ciarán Mulholland

Sarah speaks with solicitor Ciarán Mulholland from Mulholland Law about his extensive work on criminal justice matters. Ciarán discusses the criminal legal aid scheme in Ireland as well as challenges around policing, accessing justice and some interesting and extremely relevant cases he and his team are working on.  
*TW – some cases mentioned in this podcast explore themes of violence which some listeners might find upsetting.
 
If you would like to find out more about the work and cases Ciarán discusses, you will see a list of articles below: 
 
TACA – Extradition since Brexit;
 
https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-poland-extradition-case-referred-to-europe-top-court-ecj/
 
https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/european-court-to-rule-in-november-on-post-brexit-extradition-requests
 
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-alleged-dissident-republicans-appeal-against-extradition-1424491.html
 
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2023/10/03/seven-judge-supreme-court-hears-appeal-by-alleged-dissident-republican-against-extradition-to-uk/
 
 
Threats to Lawyers from Far-Right;
 
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66424582
 
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2023/07/31/solicitor-representing-bereaved-mother-in-case-against-gemma-odoherty-increases-security-after-alleged-threats/
 
 
Dangerous Dog Act Constitutionality;
 
https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0620/1305964-dog-attack/
 
 
McGlinchey Murders & ROI Legacy Litigation;
 
https://www.lmfm.ie/news/lmfm-news/louth-coroner-to-hand-over-documents-about-dominic-mad-dog-mcglinchey-inquest/
 
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/billy-king-rat-wright-identified-30117958
 
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mcglinchey-family-want-answers-over-mothers-missing-murder-file/42359872.html                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 
https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/02/03/news/irish_government_urged_to_improve_legacy_after_concerns_raised_over_approach_over_dominic_mcglinchey_murder-3036054/
 
https://www.derrynow.com/news/derry-news/1258159/family-of-dominic-and-mary-mcglinchey-in-brussels-to-meet-with-european-parliament.html
 
 
Garda issues;
 
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2023/10/07/garda-who-drunkenly-assaulted-and-racially-abused-taxi-driver-sued-in-high-court/
 
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/judge-dismisses-case-against-man-stopped-at-covid-checkpoint-at-start-of-pandemic-1.4781691
 
https://www.noteworthy.ie/watching-the-watchdog-gsoc-investigation-6054964-May2023/
 
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/gardai-involved-in-standoff-with-central-mental-hospital-staff-due-to-capacity-issues-1100276.html
 
https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/anti-gay-preaching-row-solicitor-accuses-garda-of-bogus-prosecution-after-judge-dismisses-all-charges-against-northern-ireland-trio-3743745
 

Episode 64: Richard Port MBE

Sarah is joined by solicitor Richard Port MBE who works in family law as a partner with George Green Solicitors in the West Midlands.  Richard specialises in domestic abuse cases and provides us with an excellent insight into his work and achievements in this complex and difficult area of law.
 
*TW: Please note that we discuss instances of domestic violence and abuse in this episode which can be distressing for some listeners.  Please note the resources below if you or anyone you know would like to seek support:
 
UK:
Refuge https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Women’s Aid https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
Respect https://mensadviceline.org.uk/
National Domestic Abuse Helpline https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
 
NI:
Women’s Aid https://www.womensaidni.org/
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/24-hour-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-helpline
Nexus https://nexusni.org/helpline/
 
Ireland:
Women’s Aid https://www.womensaid.ie/
Men’s Aid https://www.mensaid.ie/
EU https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/help-lines

Episode 63: Siobhán Conlon

Sarah meets Dublin based solicitor Siobhán Conlon who is a human rights lawyer specialising in criminal defence and immigration.  Siobhán discusses the challenges currently facing her immigration clients including homelessness and difficulties around family reunification for refugees.

Episode 62: Aonghus Kelly

Sarah is joined by lawyer Aonghus Kelly who talks about his new role as senior adviser on prosecution of international crimes with the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) where he is based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Aonghus is no stranger to the podcast and provides listeners with excellent advice on working in the sphere of international law. 

Episode 61: Gavin Booth

In this week's episode, Sarah meets with solicitor Gavin Booth from Phoenix Law to discuss his views on the ongoing attacks on lawyers working on human rights cases.  

Episode 60: Christopher Stanley

Sarah is joined by lawyer Christopher Stanley who is a litigation consultant with the law firm KRW Law.  Christopher is a widely published legal contributor and talks to Sarah about his legal journey from academic, barrister, NGO caseworker to legal consultant.  Aspects of Christopher’s work discussed includes immigration, Northern Ireland legacy cases and historic abuse.   
 
Please click on links below or check our blog for more of Christopher’s publications. 
1974 pub bombings: unanswered questions | Feature | Law Gazette
“I AM NOT NUMBER 54". By Christopher Stanley. - Village Magazine
Lessons from the Birmingham Pub Bombing inquest - Legal (legalvoice.org.uk)
I reject your apology. I cannot forgive you - Village Magazine