About Us

– 2007, Founded

Downes Solicitors was founded in 2007 initially comprising two solicitors, namely founder Seamus Downes, and Dermot McKeon.

The firm from its commencement had a focus on litigation matters, covering a wide range of subjects including personal injury, and commercial disputes. From inception, we have had a focus on seeking solutions to what might appear complex disputes, whether that solution would involve a dispute having to go to an actual court hearing, or whether an alternate agreeable arrangement could be found.

The firm subsequently expanded and now comprises five solicitors dealing with the core focus of the firm that being litigation matters, and also has strong assistance from consultants Barry Reidy and John Reidy of Reidy and Associates (who provide consultancy services to the firm comprising property, probate/estate planning, and related matters).

With the firm commencing just at the point where severe economic difficulties were afflicting the world (and Ireland), aside from personal injury matters, the nature of the disputes in relation to which the firm has given advice tended towards commercial conflicts.

– 2013, Growing Team

The additions of David Ryan and Marc Hickey as solicitors brought further decades of experience to the firm and the firm is now well positioned to attend to many types of litigation, and our services have grown to cover a broad spectrum of issues. We have particular experience in litigation before the Commercial division of the High Court. Additionally, we have successfully advised numerous clients in respect of complex commercial mediations.

Some of our recent cases include acting for borrowers in respect of a dispute with a fund who purchased debt from an Irish high street bank and sought the appointment of a receiver. An injunction was granted by the High Court. 

We also acted in respect of other borrowers who had purchased an investment property by way of pension-backed mortgage from Ulster Bank. An injunction was sought for the High Court when the loan and security were sold to a fund who then sought the appointment of a receiver over the property. 

The firm acted in the case which set the precedent in this jurisdiction with respect to the ability for a lender to seek to apply “surcharge”, “penalty” or “default” interest on loans. Both in the High Court and the Court of Appeal our clients successfully argued that the default interest sought to be included in the amount outstanding was both an unlawful penalty and a clog on the borrower’s equity of redemption. 

We have represented a co-ownership group in a dispute with NAMA and IBRC which resolved subsequent to commercial mediation. The case involved both alleged interest-rate swap misselling and overcharging of interest.

– 2021, Looking Forward

The firm has continued to advise clients in relation to all level of personal injury claims, ranging from situations where serious injuries led our clients to be unable to engage in future employment, to cases relating to comparatively low-level injuries (which were still of great importance to the clients involved). 

A client-centred approach has been appreciated by the clients of the firm, with each case being approached on its own individual merits (and complications) rather than assuming a “one size fits all” approach. 

No two litigation cases are the same, nor should the legal advice given in relation to two apparently similar cases necessarily be the same. 

Experience is what counts, and Downes Solicitors have a wealth of experience available to assist you with your legal query. 

David Ryan and Marc Hickey joined the firm as partners in what was a significant milestone for the progression of the firm.