E119 The Fifth Court

Recorded at the University of Galway recording studios.

Hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL talk to Diarmuid J. Connolly BL (kind of 'Father of the Mayo Bar' but he's keen to correct that misnomer) a practising barrister based in County Mayo.

Former UCG student Peter along with Diarmuid, start with a bit of reminiscing - including a story about men in UCG monitoring the purchase of condoms. However, Mark guides them back to the law.

He has been a member of the Bar of Ireland since 1995. In recent years, he has been actively involved in advocating for the restoration of criminal legal aid fees to their 2011 levels. He participated in protests and strikes in Castlebar, highlighting the challenges faced by criminal barristers due to fee reductions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation. Connolly emphasized that the issue is not solely about rates but about ensuring equality and sustainability within the legal profession.

Diarmuid's cultural recommendations are Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (he's a keen cook) and for a movie he tips the hat to 'Withnail and I'.

The episode also includes recent important cases drawn from the Decisis casebook. These are brought to you thanks to Charltons Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, Georges St. Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

• A potentially forged signature
• Case regarding airport landing slots in Dublin Airport
• Revenue case regarding a quarry and a tax liability

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