Solicitor ordered to hand over settlement cheques

By Tim Healy
Saturday June 04 2011
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A SOLICITOR who received cheques totalling €35,000 in relation to a sexual abuse settlement allegedly told the victim he would only get around €5,000, the High Court heard.
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Denis McMahon, a partner in McMahon O'Brien solicitors, is facing charges of misconduct by failing to lodge the settlement cheque for €25,000 plus another for €10,000 related to the legal costs of the case.
The client had sued a religious institution over abuse when he was a child.

High Court president Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns yesterday granted orders that Mr McMahon deliver up two cheques in relation to a settlement, as well as the client's file.
He said while it was important to point out that the court had only heard one side of the story, he considered it to be a grave matter.

Yesterday morning, the Law Society brought an application to the court to ensure it could obtain the client's file and the two cheques immediately.

The judge adjourned the matter to next Thursday after Mr McMahon finally brought the file to court.
Mr McMahon has also been summoned to appear before the Law Society.

- Tim Healy
The Independent.ie