Best Peter Leonard BL And Mark Tottenham Podcasts (2025)

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E127 The Fifth Court - Matthew Holmes, author 'Habeas Corpus: Practice and Procedure 35:12

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6d ago35:12

35:12

On Episode 127 of The Fifth Court, hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL are joined by Matthew Holmes BL, author of Habeas Corpus: Practice and Procedure. (This is his sixth book!). They delve into the historical roots, practical applications, and enduring importance of habeas corpus in modern Irish law. Everything you need to know in 30 min…

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E126 The Fifth Court - Catastrophe: Nakba II with author Fintan Drury (Legal & Human Rights Special) 38:10

14d ago38:10

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Episode 126, The Fifth Court featuring – Catastrophe: Nakba II with author Fintan Drury (Legal & Human Rights Special) Fintan Drury’s Catastrophe: Nakba II is a punch in the gut—not a balanced history lesson. On The Fifth Court, we dig into the polemical argument beneath the exhaustive research, and why it reads more like a rallying cry than a neut…

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E125 The Fifth Court - John Brennan, former CIA head at The Centre for Justice and Law Reform Summer School 2025 39:57

22d ago39:57

39:57

Episode 125 The Fifth Court John Brennan ran America’s most secretive operations as CIA director. Now he’s sharing what he learned about balancing intelligence, justice, and democracy. From briefing presidents to confronting terror, Brennan gives The Fifth Court a rare insider’s view—and explains why Ireland’s Centre for Justice and Law Reform Summ…

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E124 The Fifth Court - Alice Doyle, Circuit Court Judge (ret.) - Justice V Vengeance, reflections on the difficulty in sentencing 54:17

1M ago54:17

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Conversation from the Bench, Retired Judge Alice Doyle at the Inaugural Kilkenny Law Festival Recorded live at the Kilkenny Law Festival, this special episode of The Fifth Court — recent Merit Award winner of the Law Society of Ireland's Awards — features a wide-ranging conversation with Retired Circuit Judge Alice Doyle. With over two decades on t…

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E123 The Fifth Court - Mark O'Connell, author 'A Thread of Violence', on the Malcolm McArthur case - from the Kilkenny Law Festival 55:52

1M ago55:52

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The Murderer, the Memoirist & the Mystery That Lingers On episode 123 of The Fifth Court, we’re joined by Mark O’Connell, Irish Times contributor and author of the acclaimed A Thread of Violence, his gripping account of the life — and crimes — of Malcolm MacArthur. In conversation with barristers Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, and recorded…

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E122 The Fifth Court - Frank McNally, Irish Times - a Bloomsday (Legal) Special 48:27

2M ago48:27

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E122 The Fifth Court Frank McNally, author of Irish Times 'An Irishman's Diary', on Bloomsday, June 16th 1904 - The many legal themes running through one of the great English language books. His cultural recommendation, 'The Third Policeman', by Flann O'Brien His movie choice is 'All the President's Men' The episode also includes recent important c…

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E121 The Fifth Court - Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger, life and times of a High Court judge 1:06:52

2M ago1:06:52

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Episode 121 of The Fifth Court is the first of a mini-series of the podcast recorded at the Kilkenny Law Festival 2025, held from May 16–18 in Kilkenny City. It offered a dynamic weekend of discussions on contemporary and historical legal topics aimed at making legal discourse accessible and engaging, blending serious analysis with entertainment - …

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E120 The Fifth Court - Dr. Ciara Smyth, Human Rights, Migration and Asylum Law expert, recorded at University College Galway 40:09

2M ago40:09

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Dr. Ciara Smyth, a distinguished lecturer at the School of Law at University of Galway She is the Programme Director for the LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Her expertise lies in the areas of asylum law, refugee protection, and human rights. She talks about her very early experiences i…

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E119 The Fifth Court - Diarmuid J. Connolly BL (now quite the 'Father of the Mayo Bar' ) - recorded at the University of Galway 35:00

2M ago35:00

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E119 The Fifth Court Recorded at the University of Galway recording studios. Hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL talk to Diarmuid J. Connolly BL (kind of 'Father of the Mayo Bar' but he's keen to correct that misnomer) a practising barrister based in County Mayo. Former UCG student Peter along with Diarmuid, start with a bit of reminiscing…

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E118 The Fifth Court - Judge Mary Fahy (retd.) - Live from Galway thanks to GSBA 55:35

3M ago55:35

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E118 The Fifth Court featuring retired judge Mary Fahy Judge Mary Fahy retired from the Irish District Court on January 31, 2025, concluding a distinguished 31-year judicial career. Appointed to the bench in the early 1990s, she served in various jurisdictions, including Dublin and Galway, and was known for her commitment to accessible justice and …

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E117 The Fifth Court - Paul Keane, Reddy Charlton LLP, former Honorary Consul General of Sweden (and Beekeeper!) 38:33

3M ago38:33

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E117 The Fifth Court throws the spotlight on one of the country's most colourful solicitors, Paul Keane, former Managing Partner at Reddy Charlton (where he started at 17 years of age), now a consultant to that firm, as well as having been the Chair of the North Fingal Beekeepers Association! He was originally inspired by Lord Wedderburn and his le…

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E116 The Fifth Court - Edmond Honohan, 'former' Master of the High Court 43:16

3M ago43:16

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E116 The Fifth Court - featuring the life and times of the "former" Master of the High Court, Edmond Honahan Is he, was he still Master? He explains how it's down to an EU interpretation. His cultural reference is the book 'Wolf Hall' (Hilary Mantel) because of a scene involving the malign influence of 'international bankers'. Hosts Mark Tottenham …

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E115 The Fifth Court - from the University of Limerick, former Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, SC. Part II. 26:02

4M ago26:02

26:02

Episode 115 – The Fifth Court He’s held one of the highest offices in the land, but what’s life really like after the robes are folded away? In this episode, Frank Clarke SC, former Chief Justice, returns to the studio for the second half of his conversation with Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL. The discussion moves effortlessly from courtro…

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E114 The Fifth Court - Former Chief Justice Frank Clarke SC - Part I. 36:14

4M ago36:14

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Episode 114 The Fifth Court Former Chief Justice Frank Clarke SC - Part I. In this episode, The Fifth Court welcomes none other than Frank Clarke SC, former Chief Justice and one of Ireland’s most respected legal minds. Frank joins Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL for a relaxed and entertaining chat that ranges from the inner workings of the …

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #12 8:19

4M ago8:19

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.12 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases, taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Host…

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E113 The Fifth Court - Dr Susan Leahy, University of Limerick, on consent. 47:37

4M ago47:37

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E113 The Fifth Court Dr Susan Leahy, University of Limerick, on consent. DSBA 'Podcast of the Year' Hosts Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL talks to Susan Leahy, Associate Professor in Law whose primary research interests are in the areas of criminal justice (with particular emphasis on sexual violence and victims of crime) and family law (spe…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #11 12:06

4M ago12:06

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.11 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases, taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Host…

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E112 The Fifth Court - from the University of Limerick, Prof. Jennifer Schweppe, Co-Director, European Centre for the Study of Hate 38:27

4M ago38:27

38:27

E112 The Fifth Court 'Live' from University of Limerick, hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, are joined by Prof. Jennifer Schweppe, Co-Director, European Centre for the Study of Hate - Everything you need to know about Hate Crime Jennifer's culture choice, Jane Casey's series of books featuring Maeve Kerrigan, a police officer, solving cr…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #10 8:48

4M ago8:48

8:48

A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.10 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases, taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Host…

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E111 The Fifth Court - Patrick Costello 38:57

5M ago38:57

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Episode 111 The Fifth Court DSBA 'Podcast of the Year' Patrick Costello, barrister and former Green Party TD and party spokesperson on Justice He took the CETA (EU Canada trade agreement involving private courts) case to the Supreme Court If haven't delved into these private courts, this is a 'must listen'. His choice of movie: (the brilliant) My C…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #9 9:13

5M ago9:13

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.9 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases, including a legal challenge by a pilot against Ryanair, taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practition…

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E110 The Fifth Court - Brendan Slattery, Head of Environment and Planning, McCann FitzGerald solrs. 36:53

5M ago36:53

36:53

E110 The Fifth Court DSBA Podcast of the Year Brendan Slattery, Head of Environment and Planning, McCann FitzGerald solrs. talks to our interlocutors, Peter Leonard, BL, and Mark Tottenham, BL, about the new Planning Act (all 900 pages of it). As Peter says, what Brendan doesn't know about planning law isn't worth knowing. And, as always, there's a…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #8 11:59

5M ago11:59

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.8 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…

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E109 The Fifth Court - retired High Court judge, Bernard Barton 45:09

5M ago45:09

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E109 The Fifth Court A most amusing encounter. Hosts Peter Leonard and Mark Tottenham talk to retired judge Bernard Barton, a fabulous raconteur, about his life and times, including his career as a used car salesman! Bernard Barton is a retired Irish judge who served on the High Court from 2014 until his retirement in March 2021. During his tenure,…

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E108 The Fifth Court - Ass. Prof. Dr. Thomas Mohr (UCD) on Hugh Kennedy, former AG and law reformer 38:54

5M ago38:54

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E108 The Fifth Court Dr Thom Mohr on Hugh Kennedy, first Attorney General of the Irish Free State and law reformer who had some radical ideas in his time. This is a most entertaining episode, including details of little known attempts by Hugh Kennedy to disrobe judges and re robe them in the Brehon Law style (or what was his interpretation of such)…

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E107 The Fifth Court - The Law Reform Commission, Siobhán Ní Chúlacháin, Director of Research & Caoilin Young, Legal Researcher 36:13

6M ago36:13

36:13

E107 The Law Reform Commission, 50 years old Modernising the law. How we change the law to update it. The programme for work is laid out in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. Next year they'll be canvassing the public to find other areas of legislation that might do with some updating. The Irish Law Reform Commission is an indepen…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #7 9:42

6M ago9:42

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.7 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…

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E106 The Fifth Court - LIVE from the Law Society, Part 2 - Legal Big Bang?, Rachel Stanton, Simmons & Simmons and James Duggan, Flynn O'Driscoll 34:39

6M ago34:39

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E106 The Fifth Court DSBA 'Podcast of the Year' The Fifth Court LIVE! Part II. Presenters Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL are joined live at the Law Society by Rachel Stanton, Country Head for Ireland, Simmons & Simmons as well as by James Duggan, Managing Partner, Flynn O'Driscoll Solicitors. They discuss whether a legal Big Bang is current…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #6 8:41

6M ago8:41

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.6 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…

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E105 The Fifth Court - LIVE from the Law Society, Part I - Legal Big Bang?, Rachel Stanton, Simmons & Simmons and James Duggan, Flynn O'Driscoll 33:38

6M ago33:38

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E105 The Fifth Court DSBA 'Podcast of the Year' The Fifth Court LIVE! Part I. Presenters Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL are joined live at the Law Society by Rachel Stanton, Country Head for Ireland, Simmons & Simmons as well as by James Duggan, Managing Partner, Flynn O'Driscoll Solicitors. They discuss whether a legal Big Bang is currentl…

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E104 The Fifth Court - Griffith & Griffith, the sequel. (Follow on from E57) Cyril Griffith Junior talks about what happened next 31:49

6M ago31:49

31:49

E104 The Fifth Court DSBA Podcast of the Year Griffith & Griffith, the sequel. (Follow on from E57, The Fifth Court) Cyril Griffith Junior talks about what happened next, Simply stunning. Cyril Griffith (son of the original Cyril Griffith) contacted the podcast to give a fascinating background about the case. This one is made for sharing with anyon…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #5 10:36

7M ago10:36

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.4 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…

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E103 The Fifth Court - Lucy Letby Case and the role of 'expert witnesses' 41:34

7M ago41:34

41:34

E103 The Lucy Letby Case and the role of 'expert witnesses' Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL discuss some complex legal issues around this difficult case that has made international headlines. The Lucy Letby legal case involved a neonatal nurse convicted of the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of six others at a UK hospital be…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #4 8:57

7M ago8:57

8:57

A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.4 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, who speci…

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E102 The Fifth Court - Louise O'Donnell, Deputy Chair, The Labour Court 40:04

7M ago40:04

40:04

E102 The Fifth Court - Louise O'Donnell, Deputy Chair, The Labour Court A great story about starting work in the Civil Service at 17 and her subsequent, highly successful, career. She talks about a recently published book, 'A history of the Labour Court 1946- 2021' In 2021, the Labour Court celebrated it's 75th anniversary following its establishme…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #3 7:55

7M ago7:55

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A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.3 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, who speci…

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E101 The Fifth Court - Former Mr. Justice Peter Kelly, life and times, Part II 40:22

7M ago40:22

40:22

E101 The Fifth Court The second part of an informative and highly entertaining chat with former Mr. Justice Peter Kelly - President of the High Court of Ireland from 2015 to 2020 who was widely recognised for his work in complex commercial and public interest cases. He is reluctantly retired and would have loved to have continued on the bench. His …

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #2 7:53

7M ago7:53

7:53

A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.2 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, who speci…

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E100 The Fifth Court - Former Mr. Justice Peter Kelly, life and times, Part I 37:00

8M ago37:00

37:00

E100 The Fifth Court For its 100th episode, The Fifth Court hosts, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, had a lengthy, informative and highly entertaining chat with former Mr. Justice Peter Kelly - President of the High Court of Ireland from 2015 to 2020 who was widely recognised for his work in complex commercial and public interest cases. He i…

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The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED #1 8:54

8M ago8:54

8:54

A bonus episode, from The Fifth Court team. Episode No.1 The Fifth Court UNPRECEDENTED - recent interesting cases taken from the Decisis.ie Law Reports casebook introduced by Mark Tottenham, BL, and Peter Leonard, BL. Brought to you thanks to Charlton's Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, of George's Street, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, who speci…

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E99 The Fifth Court - Mick Clifford, author of 'Who Killed Una Lynskey', a complex and unsolved murder from the 1970s 44:21

8M ago44:21

44:21

E99 The Fifth Court. Mark Tottenham and Peter Leonard talk to Mick Clifford, author of the best-selling true-crime book, 'Who killed Una Lynskey?' This is the true story of murder and vengeance, a shattered community and a miscarriage of justice that echoes down the decades. In October 1971 nineteen-year-old Una Lynskey vanished near her home in Co…

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E98 The Fifth Court - Nelofer Pazira, recently completed work on final book of her late husband, journalist, Robert Fisk 55:47

8M ago55:47

55:47

Episode 98 of The Fifth Court podcast was recorded LIVE at the Allingham Festival in Donegal, on Friday 8 November 2024. Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL chatted to the amazing Nelofer Pazira, whose life story is quite extraordinary. She has also has recently completed work on the final book of her late husband, the renowned journalist, Rober…

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E97 The Fifth Court - Michael O'Farrell, journalist, on the epic hunt to Michael Lynn to justice 42:47

8M ago42:47

42:47

Episode 97 The Fifth Court Michael O’Farrell is a journalist for over two decades and has reported widely on matters of public interest from across the globe and at home. He is currently Investigations Editor with The Irish Mail on Sunday. His new book, ‘Fugitive: The Michael Lynn Story,’ is the true story of how he tracked down and then interviewe…

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E96 The Fifth Court - Judge Grainne Malone talks about the new Irish Court Services podcast commemorating 100 years of the Irish courts.ars 33:20

8M ago33:20

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Episode 96 The Fifth Court with Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL. On this episode, Judge Gráinne Malone, a former solicitor who also qualified as a barrister but who went on the bench after only six months at the bar, and who has now served thirteen years as a judge. She talks about the new Irish Courts Service Podcast, an initiative created …

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E95 The Fifth Court at the Kilkenomics Festival - Money-laundering, White Collar Crime - Marla Dukharan and Bill Black 49:57

9M ago49:57

49:57

Hosts Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL chat to Marla Dukharan and Bill Black, world experts in White Collar Crime, at an early morning talk at the Kilkenomics Festival. They discuss white collar prosecutions, and the double standards applied to Caribbean countries by the OECD, as well as Bill's book, titled 'The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to O…

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E94 The Fifth Court at the Ploughing Championships - 'agricultural solicitor' Aisling Meehan 24:12

9M ago24:12

24:12

Episode 94 Aisling Meehan, Agricultural Solicitor It takes specialist knowledge and understanding to appreciate the problems farmers face today. Every decision is affected by legal, tax and practical considerations specific to farming business. As a qualified solicitor, tax consultant and young trained farmer, Aisling Meehan (ex William Fry) can co…

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E93 The Fifth Court - Pascal Pichonnaz, ELI President and Professor at University of Fribourg, 32:59

9M ago32:59

32:59

Recorded at the 2024 ELI (European Law Institute) Annual Conference held at the Kings Inns, Dublin, where Fifth Court presenters, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, talk to ELI President, Professor Pascal Pichonnaz Professor Pichonnaz earned a Ph.D. that is in published form as ‘Habilitation’, a large book on the Law of Set-off. He teaches Con…

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E92 The Fifth Court - Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales 28:51

9M ago28:51

28:51

Episode 92 The Fifth Court Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales and ELI Vice-President who attended the European Law Institute (ELI) conference in Dublin. Established in 2011, the ELI emulates the American Law Institute and focuses on advancing all areas of law across Europe and beyond. As the premier…

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E91 The Fifth Court -Arthur Mathews, author, Walled In By Hate: Kevin O’Higgins, (Minister for Justice, 1922-1927) 56:25

10M ago56:25

56:25

Episode 91, The Fifth Court A slightly longer than usual edition of Ireland's favourite podcast as our hosts delve into the light and shade of Arthur Mathews new book, 'Walled In By Hate: Kevin O’Higgins, His Friends and Enemies'. Arthur is well known as co-creator of Father Ted so naturally the talk starts with a chat about the modern sitcom maste…

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E90 The Fifth Court - Sisterly, co-founded by Jenny O'Connell, well-known SC turned entrepreneur. Life after the bar. 24:53

11M ago24:53

24:53

E90 The Fifth Court - The Vacation Sittings Continuing our series of law related interviews whilst regular presenters Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL take a well-earned break. Life after the law. On this episode, former Senior Counsel Jenny O'Connell along with her pals Louise O'Riordan and Aoife Matthews, have all given up high-powered 'rea…