E147 The Fifth Court - John O’Donnell SC on Law, Literature and Life

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: Winning the Francis McManus Short Story Award Writing Mr. Who — a story inspired by a real criminal case The discipline of writing daily at 6:30am Why short stories thrive in Ireland And his upcoming novel Second Skin 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.”

Chapters 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.