ON this episode of The Fifth Court, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL are joined by John O’Donnell SC — one of the Bar’s leading advocates… and one of Ireland’s most quietly brilliant writers. This is a conversation that moves from the Four Courts to the writing desk — and back again.
We step into a different courtroom entirely — the imagination.
John O’Donnell SC discusses:
This is law, but not as you expect it.
We begin, as always, with the Decisis casebook section, sponsored by Charlton Solicitors & Collaborative Practitioners, George’s Street, Dún Laoghaire, covering:
1. Teaching Council v CD
A school principal steals up to €100,000… and is NOT struck off. Why? Gambling addiction, remorse, and the court’s willingness to give a second chance.
2. Pepper Finance Corporation v Ward
A default judgment overturned… after SEVEN years. Solicitor misconduct, delay, and “special circumstances” collide.
3. O’Callaghan v O’Callaghan
A family hotel empire tears itself apart. Misrepresentation vs arbitration — and why the court said: “Off you go… to arbitration.”
00:00 – Intro
02:00 – Decisis Sponsor: Charlton Solicitors & Collaborative Practitioners
02:15 – Case 1: Teacher theft & second chances
05:30 – Case 2: Default judgment after 7 years
08:00 – Case 3: Family hotel war & arbitration
10:30 – John O’Donnell SC interview begins
18:00 – From barrister to poet
25:00 – Writing discipline: 6:30am starts
32:00 – Mr. Who: crime, imagination, and narrative
40:00 – Law as inspiration for fiction
50:00 – Poetry reading
57:00 – Fastnet Film Festival & courtroom dramas
01:02:00 – Close
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