Defamation and Privacy

Harry Fehily maintains a solid reputation in the dispute resolution market. He advises on wide-ranging topics including insurance claims, commercial disputes over the early termination of contracts and the defence of regulatory enforcement actions. Clients appreciate his availability and insight, one of them stating: “He is a person in whom we have great trust.” “He is an effective and measured litigator who is very experienced,” say market commentators.

Holmes O'Malley Sexton has particular expertise in the education sector, where the team represents a number of universities, but also acts for a range of state and semi-state bodies and statutory corporations. The practice has advised on judicial review proceedings, disputes in the public sector, complaints and investigations, and public procurement issues. Based in the firm's Limerick and Dublin offices, managing partner Harry Fehily has extensive experience of judicial reviews and regulatory investigations, while Pat McInerney regularly acts for public bodies in litigation, including professional negligence, defamation, breach of contract and property-related cases.

Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O'Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm's offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regularly handles litigation in the public sector, including judicial review proceedings and regulatory matters for healthcare and education entities. Managing partner Harry Fehily is active in a range of commercial disputes and also strong for mediation. Other key contacts include new partners Michael Murphy, who specialises in financial services and insurance litigation, with additional expertise in data protection matters, and Pat McInerney, who regularly acts for public sector bodies.

Holmes O'Malley Sexton regularly acts for Limerick public sector entities such as Limerick University and also has expertise in the regulatory sphere. Practice head Harry Fehily is acting for the Irish Greyhound Board in respect of the first successful prosecution under section 20 of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.

Holmes O'Malley Sexton is well known in the insurance defence sector, where practice head Robert Kennedy and Harry Fehily provide ‘an excellent turnaround service’. Fehily was also active in a number of defamation claims. Donal Creaton has ‘excellent knowledge of the courts process’. All named partners are based in Limerick.

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"They know their subject area very well, have good technical expertise and a commercial approach to settlements." "It is an excellent service because they are multi-disciplined and have specialists in all the areas." Multiple clients describe the team's service as "absolutely competitive," with one source explaining: "They represent very good value for money."

Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s ‘very strong team of litigators’ includes Harry Fehily, whose 2016 caseload included trade mark litigation and various judicial reviews. Practice head Robert Kennedy and Donal Creaton focus on defending insurance claims.