Edward J O’Brien, previously a solicitor and ex-Fianna Fáil mayor for South Dublin County Council, has been instructed by the High Court to reimburse legal fees to a past client for work he neglected to perform. The President of the High Court, Mr Justice David Barniville, ruled that Mr O’Brien must refund the charges paid by the former client who had engaged his law services for a property deal. Apart from that, Mr O’Brien has been directed to pay the additional €1,500 that his client had to give another solicitor to finish the work he botched.
Mr O’Brien used to work at Edward J O’Brien, solicitors, in Lucan, Co Dublin, and in June 2020, he was elected mayor of South Dublin County Council, representing the area of Lucan. He no longer holds public office.
A complaint committee of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) decided in September 2023 that Mr O’Brien didn’t fulfil the work he was hired for. His poor communication skills lead his client to hire another solicitor to finish the job. The committee also found that Mr O’Brien didn’t keep his client and her new solicitor updated, the court was informed by James Daly, representing the authority.
Additionally, the committee gave Mr O’Brien two months to adhere to the authority’s verdict of repaying the fees and compensating his client but he had failed to comply, Mr Daly informed the court. The court’s order is a result of his non-compliance.
When Mr Justice Barniville enquired, Mr Daly assured the court that Mr O’Brien was not practising law presently. The case documents were delivered to Mr O’Brien at his residence, Mr Daly added. The judge noted Mr O’Brien’s continued lack of co-operation with the LSRA inquiry and highlighted his failure to provide any justification for his non-compliance with their decision. Hence, the judge issued the order requested and awarded the application’s costs to the authority.