Firm acts on Inquest into Death of Joe Grogan of National Ploughing Championships

Our Senior Partner, Damien Tansey SC, represented the family of Joe Grogan at a Coroner's Inquest into his death which recently concluded in Offaly after a three day hearing.

Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in Irish farming circles for hosting the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018, while the farm will also stage this year’s event in September.

The Coroner found that the Tullamore farmer probably died from infection linked to cancer - however there were questions about the aftercare he received following his last round of chemotherapy treatment. Questions were also raised regarding a marriage certificate stating that he married the day before his death.

Please click on link below to read more.

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/coroner-rejects-calls-to-refer-details-to-gardai-after-offaly-farmer-75-dies-day-after-wedding-1783749.html

Ciarán Tansey (Partner) is interviewed by The Irish Times about the review into maternity services in Portiuncula University Hospital.

Ciarán Tansey (Partner) is interviewed by The Irish Times about the review into maternity services in Portiuncula University Hospital. Our firm continues to act for a number of affected families.

Please click on the link below to read the interview:

https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/07/10/families-at-centre-of-portiuncula-review-call-into-question-viability-of-service/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures €140,000 in damages for Peter Casey

Niall Tansey, Partner, has successfully acted for businessman and former Presidential Candidate, Peter Casey, in a High Court Defamation action.

The case related to a defamatory post published on Facebook in April 2023 by an Acupuncturist and general election candidate from Buncrana, Co Donegal. 

In his judgement delivered on 4 December 2024, Mr Justice Nolan found that the statements posted were “untrue” and they were “defamatory and malicious”.

He awarded Mr Casey damages of €140,000 and also issued a Correction Order requiring the Defendant to correct the record.

Please click on the below link to read more about this case.

https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2024/1211/1485942-peter-casey/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures Court Ruling allowing injured Rugby Player to take legal action

The firm is acting for Carmel Creaven who is suing the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Tuam Rugby Football Club for negligence and breach of duty arising out of serious injuries she sustained during a line-out collision during a rugby match in 2017.

A number of Defendants had sought to have the case dismissed on the basis that she was a member of an association – and under the established precedent (Murphy v Roche), she could not maintain an action against them as she would effectively be suing herself.

However, Ms Justice Brett has rejected the Defendants’ application, thus allowing Ms Creaven to proceed to a full hearing. 

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP was represented by Aisling Harrison (Partner).

Please click on the link below for a news article discussing this case

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/womans-case-over-rugby-injury-may-proceed-high-court-rules-1611832.html

Damien Tansey SC interviewed on Ocean FM on latest developments in ongoing “Bikegate” Case

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP are representing the Garda who loaned an unclaimed bicycle to an elderly man during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Garda was subsequently suspended from duty for almost four years.  Recently, following a four day disciplinary hearing, Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP achieved a successful outcome whereby the Garda was cleared of all wrongdoing and was reinstated to full-time duties.

Click on the link below to listen to the latest radio interview with Damien Tansey SC.

https://www.oceanfm.ie/2024/03/25/keeping-legal-options-open-says-sligo-solicitor-representing-garda-in-loaned-bicycle-case/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP represents family of Aoife Johnston

Senior Partner, Damien Tansey SC, is acting for the family of Aoife Johnston from Shannon, Co Clare, who died in University Hospital Limerick after waiting over 12 hours to be treated in the emergency department.

A Coroner’s Inquest into the death is due to commence on 21 April 2024.  Her death has already been investigated by the HSE but former Chief Justice Frank Clarke has been asked to oversee a second inquiry.  Mr Tansey has been speaking publicly about the family’s concerns regarding this inquiry.  

Please click on the links below for media coverage on this case.

Criticism of hospital leadership deleted from final report into death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston (independent.ie)

Aoife Johnston's family given no input on review terms (rte.ie)

Aoife Johnston's family express concern over terms of reference for review into her death | Morning Ireland - RTÉ Radio 1

'Pure courtesy' - Aoife Johnston's family ask for more communication ahead of inquiry | Newstalk

Damien Tansey SC gives Robert Mayne Lecture at Tallaght University Hospital

Senior Partner, Damien Tansey SC, was honoured to give the Robert Mayne Lecture at Tallaght University Hospital on Thursday, 28th September 2023.

Photographed with Damien Tansey SC are Professor Peter Lavin (Consultant Nephrologist & General Physician) and Professor Catherine Wall (Consultant Nephrologist, Lead Clinical Director for Tallaght University Hospital & Clinical Director for Medicine)

The Robert Mayne Lecture commemorates the contribution of the Mayne family to the hospitals which eventually became St. James’s Hospital and The Adelaide & Meath Hospital Dublin, Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital. Robert Mayne (1811 – 1864) devoted his life to the South Dublin Union (subsequently St. James’s Hospital) and made several original observations in chest medicine.

The Robert Mayne Lecture alternates between St. James’s Hospital and the National Children’s Hospital and has attracted many distinguished speakers. It is representative of the spirit of co-operation between the two hospitals in furthering excellence in patient care, teaching and research. The Lecture was chaired by Dr. Michael Bennett.

Review into recent Spina Bifida / Scoliosis Surgeries at Temple Street Hospital

News has emerged today, 18 September 2023, that 19 children suffered complications (and one child sadly died) after recent spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospital.

Reports are emerging that a UK-based expert has now been commissioned by the hospital to carry out an external review into the circumstances.

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP is acting for a number of families affected by this issue.

Please click below for an Irish Independent story on this issue.  Our Dublin office may be contacted on 01-2650055.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/review-as-19-children-had-complications-after-spinal-surgery-in-temple-st-hospital-with-unauthorised-devices-used-in-some-cases/a665640495.html

Senior Partner, Damien Tansey SC, receives award in recognition of his 43 years’ service as a Solicitor

Damien Tansey was honoured by the Law Society recently at an event in the President’s Hall in Blackhall Place, Dublin to mark his 43 years of unbroken service as a Solicitor.

Please click on the below PDF link to read more.

PDF Attachment (opens in new tab)

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures Apology and Substantial Settlement from Rotunda Hospital

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP acted for Michelle Naughton of Ballina, Co Mayo, who gave birth to her second child on 22 March 2017 at The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.  Following an emergency caesarean section, Ms Naughton suffered a massive amount of blood loss.  She subsequently developed acute HELLP Syndrome, went into multi-organ failure and had to have an emergency hysterectomy.  However, she continued to haemorrhage and was eventually transferred by Ambulance to the Mater Hospital for further surgery where the bleeding was eventually brought under control.  Following that surgery, she was placed in an induced coma and on life support for several days. 

On behalf of Ms Naughton, Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secured an apology and a substantial settlement which was recently approved by the High Court.  The firm’s team was led by Niall Tansey (Partner).

Please click on the link below for an Irish Times article discussing this case.

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2023/04/26/rotunda-hospital-apologises-for-failings-in-care-to-woman-during-birth-of-second-child/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures €39,000 settlement over “used injections” dispensed by Longford pharmacy

We are pleased to have advised a client who was prescribed Innohep Injections following the birth of her fourth child as she was at risk of blood clots. The plaintiff’s husband collected the injections from a Pharmacy in Longford and proceeded to administer same.  Upon administering the injection, the family realised that nothing was coming out of the vial and made the unfortunate discovery that the injections had been used previously.

The plaintiff was extremely concerned and had to wait two months before it was established she had not contracted Hepatitis B.  During this time the plaintiff was unable to breastfeed her new baby.  Mr. Justice Paul Coffey described this as occurring at the worst possible time for the plaintiff when she had just given birth; before awarding her €39,000.00.

Please click on the link below for a news story on this case. The firm’s team in this case was led by Marie-Claire Burke (Associate).

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2022/12/16/court-awards-39000-to-mother-who-sued-pharmacy-over-used-injections/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP advises Unispace on its acquisition of BioPharma Engineering in multi-million euro deal

We are pleased to have advised Unispace (a global workplace strategy and design firm) on its acquisition of BioPharma Engineering (a leading Life sciences company).

BioPharma Engineering will become known as BPE and a Unispace Global Life Sciences Centre of Excellence will be established in Ireland to deliver and grow the global life sciences business. The deal will allow BioPharma to expand its business in key markets across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 2006, Cork-based BioPharma designs and delivers laboratory, research and manufacturing facility space for global pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. It has approximately 100 employees based at its Cork and Dublin offices. Unispace is owned by PAG, a leading private equity firm based in Asia which manages c.US$50 billion in assets for more than 250 institutional investors.

The firm’s transaction team was led by Niall Tansey (Partner). Unispace was also advised by Blitzer, Clancy & Company and Milbank LLP.

Please click on the link below for an Irish Times article on this transaction.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/biopharma-engineering-deal-will-see-cork-company-expand-globally-1.4773314

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures positive outcome for recruitment company owned by Peter Casey

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP recently represented Peter Casey and Claddagh Resources Limited at a WRC Tribunal relating to the company’s dismissal of a former employee.

The Tribunal’s verdict ultimately determined that the former employee had contributed to his own dismissal by the Company. It further held that the employee had lied in his evidence at the Tribunal and that his “deplorable conduct” was “at the extreme end of the spectrum” in terms of its gravity and contribution towards his dismissal. This conduct was reflected in the nominal award ultimately made, in the amount of only €250. This was an extremely positive outcome for Mr Casey and his Company.

Click on the link below for a report in The Irish Independent in relation to this case. Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP was represented at the Tribunal by Anne Barrett (Senior Associate).

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/ex-employee-of-presidential-hopeful-peter-casey-awarded-just-250-after-contributing-to-his-unfair-sacking-42137925.html

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures verdict of “Medical Misadventure” over death of a woman in her 60s at St James’s Hospital, Dublin

A verdict of Medical Misadventure has been returned by a Dublin Coroner at an Inquest into the death of a 65 year old woman in St James’s Hospital, Dublin. Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP acted for the family of Mary Conway, from Ballytivnan, County Sligo, who died in August 2020.

Mrs Conway, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother was transferred from Sligo University Hospital to St James’s Hospital, Dublin, suffering from ischemic heart disease. At St James’s Hospital, in an effort to treat her condition, doctors performed a high-pressure balloon angioplasty. In the course of this procedure, the doctors perforated Mrs Conway’s artery. Attempts to stop the bleed and drain the blood from Mrs Conway’s pericardial sac were unsuccessful and sadly, she did not regain consciousness. Mrs Conway passed away on 15th August 2020. Prof Eamon Leen (Consultant Pathologist) gave the cause of death as multi-organ failure secondary to myocardial infarction as a consequence of medical procedures.

The Coroner, in delivering her verdict of “Medical Misadventure” extended her sympathies to the Conway family and commented that Mrs Conway’s death was an “unintended consequence of an intentional act”.

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP was represented by Damien MP Tansey SC (Senior Partner) and Anne Barrett (Senior Associate).

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP wins Civil Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2022

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP was delighted to be awarded Civil Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2022 for Connaught/Ulster at the recent Irish Law Awards 2022 held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

This award is recognition of some of the landmark cases we have won for clients over the last 12 months – in particular in the areas of Medical Negligence and Personal Injuries.  We would like to thank the organisers of this event as well our dedicated team of Solicitors whose hard work made this award possible.  We would also like to thank our valued clients who continue to put their trust in us. Our Solicitors remain available to assist clients at our office at Embankment, Sligo and our office at Herbert Street, Dublin 2.

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP was also shortlisted for: (i) Law Firm of the Year; (ii) Personal Injury / Medical Negligence Law Firm of the Year; and (iii) Excellence & Innovation in Client Services. In addition, Ciaran Tansey (Partner) was shortlisted for Irish Language Lawyer of the Year.

Pictured at the event is Mr Ivan Yates presenting the award to Damien Tansey SC (Senior Partner), Ciaran Tansey (Partner) and Niall Tansey (Partner). Also pictured at the event are Aisling Harrison (Senior Associate) and Anne Barrett (Senior Associate) with Damien Tansey SC, Ciaran Tansey and Niall Tansey.

Damien Tansey SC is interviewed on Ocean FM re Coroner’s Inquest into death of Lisa Niland

Click on the link below for an interview with Damien Tansey discussing this case.

https://www.oceanfm.ie/2022/09/14/inquest-takes-place-into-the-death-of-a-lisa-niland/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures Medical Misadventure verdict in Coroner’s Inquest into death of Lisa Niland

A Coroner has returned a verdict of medical misadventure following an inquest into the death of a student who was admitted to Sligo University Hospital (SUH) after collapsing and vomiting with a sudden severe headache. Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP has represented the family of the late Lisa Niland during this long running inquest. A core issue at the inquest concerned a significant delay at SUH in carrying out an emergency CT scan which ultimately disclosed a bleed on Lisa’s brain which led to her death.

Click on the link below for an Irish Times Article discussing this case.

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2022/09/13/coroner-returns-verdict-of-medical-misadventure-at-inquest-into-death-of-student/#:~:text=Ms%20Niland%20from%20Drimbane%2C%20Curry,1.30pm%20that%20same%20day

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures settlement of €35,000 for boy cut by scalpel during birth

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP acted for Leo Quinn of Kingswood, Dublin, who was born at The National Maternity Hospital on 6th June 2011.

Leo was delivered by emergency Caesarean section and was overall in good condition, however he had suffered a series of lacerations to his face. Leo is now 11 years of age and thankfully his cuts have healed; with the exception of one on his mid-forehead which has left a 2cm long scar. 

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secured a settlement of €35,000 which was approved today by the High Court. The firm’s team was led by Niall Tansey (Partner) and Ellen McGreevy (Trainee Solicitor). Click on the following link for an Irish Times article discussing this case.

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2022/07/20/boy-11-whose-face-was-allegedly-cut-during-birth-settles-case-for-35000/

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP represents family of the late Jamie Costello at Coroner’s Inquest

The firm was represented by Damien MP Tansey SC (Senior Partner) and Aisling Harrison (Senior Associate)

Please click on the following link for a news article discussing this case:

https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2022/07/13/family-still-do-not-know-how-son-was-allowed-to-leave-mental-health-unit-before-suicide/?fbclid=IwAR1dHSVZa32qTIqupi3Xx3sY8nVDDdTbn7hPKjMqq0QXAHIxkQtnHr_v_xU

Woman with cerebral palsy settles case against National Maternity Hospital for €8.25m

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP acted for a  25-year-old Longford woman with spastic cerebral palsy in an action which settled for €8.25 million. The firm issued High Court proceedings against the National Maternity Hospital in 2017 and this culminated with one of the largest settlements ever ordered on by the Irish Courts, without admission of liability.  The timeline of birth started at 20 weeks when there was a spontaneous rupture of the membranes, with transfer from Midlands Regional Hospital to the National Maternity Hospital.

The principal arguments made by the firm were as follows:

(1) because the membrane had ruptured, it meant there was a risk of infection;

(2) there was a failure to diagnose the maternal infection, namely chorioamnionitis, a condition that can occur in pregnancy where the membrane around the foetus can become infected; and

(3) had there been proper vigilance by the hospital authorities at the time, it would have led to an earlier delivery, thereby avoiding brain injury.

The firm’s team was led by Ciaran Tansey (Partner). Follow this link to hear an interview with Ciaran Tansey discussing this significant victory.

https://www.shannonside.ie/podcasts/lets-talk/case-involving-25-year-old-longford-woman-settled-for-e8-2-million-206697