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About Micheál O'Dowd

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So far Micheál O'Dowd has created 42 blog entries.

Farmers Succession Advice Planning Grant

The scheme, due to open from September 19th 2023 aims to encourage and support farmers aged 60 years and above to seek succession planning advice by contributing up to 50% of vouched legal, accounting, and advisory costs, subject to a maximum payment of €1,500. Those eligible to apply are: farmers aged 60 years and above who are currently not in a succession farm partnership; are farming at least a minimum of 3ha of land at the time of application; and are farming for a minimum of two years prior to application.

Application will be open until the end of 2023 and […]

By |2023-08-20T10:09:51+01:00August 20th, 2023|

Questions arise over Data Protection and the Decision Support Service

Earlier this year the Mental Health Commission & Decision Support Service (DSS) moved a longstanding legal instrument known as an enduring power of attorney (EPA) into an online format. Previously EPAs were a document created by solicitor and were for all intents and purposes a paper documents. The new EPA is one created online using a new DSS portal. Unsurprisingly it was necessary to commission an Data Protection Impact Assessment, but somewhat surprising is that the DPIA commissioned highlights a number of serious flaws, which may well open the DSS and Mental Health Commission to future litigation as well as […]

By |2023-07-22T15:19:55+01:00July 22nd, 2023|

Enduring Powers of Attorney

A new system for creating Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs), was introduced by the newly established Decision Support Service (DSS), in April 2023 and is proving troublesome many users. This is especially concerning for individuals less adept at using technology – who are often those most in need of an EPA.

The new obligatory online system is proving too complex and off-putting for many, including solicitors traditionally involved in the process. While we generally embrace new technology, the DSS system is not fit for purpose. Unlike other online systems (such as those developed by the Revenue Commissioners, CRO, and Dept […]

By |2023-06-09T08:25:46+01:00June 8th, 2023|

Data Breaches and “the stay”

We read with interest the decision of Judge John O’Connor in the Irish times on the 18th May 2023 concerning the application by the HSE for a stay against a plaintiff seeking to recover damages for the breach by the HSE of the GDPR. The claim stems from the 2021 cyber attack which we have commented on extensively and in respect of which we have a number of proceedings in being (although we have no involvement in the above case)

At first glance the position adopted by Judge O’Connor seems like an attractive “wait and see” position for an Irish […]

By |2023-05-18T08:58:55+01:00May 18th, 2023|

Open for Business in Fermoy

Our Fermoy offices are now fully open and we can be contacted during business hours at 025 54000 or info@odowd.ie

O’Dowd Solicitors is a modern firm that leverages the latest in technology to achieve the best results for its clients but it is first and foremost a family business that puts traditional values first. We would be happy to help you with your legal needs whether they be property and conveyancing issues, family law or litigation and personal injury issues.

Following the success of our wills promotion last August, for the month of May we are once more helping people make their […]

By |2023-04-25T22:14:57+01:00April 25th, 2023|

Data Breach issues continue

We have been somewhat inundated with queries in respect of the HSE Data Breach. The scale of upset is quite extra ordinary, but by the fact the breach occurred, and the delay by the HSE in notifying data subjects. At this point hundreds of people have made inquiries as to possibility of issuing proceedings against the Health Service for breach of the data protection rights. While experience would suggest that the HSE will attempt to deny liability it is hard to see how these denials will be successful. There is  however a very live issue before the European Court of […]

By |2023-05-18T09:10:49+01:00February 21st, 2023|

Fermoy Office opening January 30th 2023

Work continued in fitting out our Fermoy offices during the Christmas break and is getting closer to completion. O’Dowd Solicitors will be be open for business in Fermoy on the 30th January 2023. Along with our existing office in Glanmire we will offer a full range of legal services to our clients in North Cork with particular experience in Property and Civil Litigation.

Please feel free to contact us in Fermoy on 025 54000 or email us at info@odowd.ie

By |2023-05-18T09:11:54+01:00January 3rd, 2023|

Second Office opening 2023 in Fermoy

We are pleased to announce we will be opening a new office in Patrick St. Fermoy in January 2023 to cater for our growing customer base in North Cork. At present our contractors are busy fitting out the building to provide the same modern, professional and comfortable experience that our clients in are used to in Glanmire.

Our Glanmire office will remain open as always with no change in personnel. The phone number for the Fermoy office is 025 54000.

By |2023-05-18T09:15:37+01:00December 6th, 2022|

Loss of earnings in personal injuries actions

Often one of the most contentious and hard fought issues in a personal injuries action that of loss of earnings. The basic principle is that if someone is injured, and they cannot work as a result they should be compensated for their loss of income.

Assuming the medical evidence supports a claim for loss of earnings, and the loss has happened in the past (i.e. the claimant has resumed his or her duties), an accountant will generally be called on to help calculate loss of income. This can be easy to calculate (e.g. in the case of PAYE worker who had […]

By |2022-12-05T00:09:52+00:00December 5th, 2022|

HSE Data Breach – November 2022 update

On the 5th April 2002 a hacker gained access to the Stephen P. Teale Data Center in California. The nondescript data centre was used by the state to process personal data relating to state employees. In total it is said that private information relating to 265,000 state employers was compromised on that day. The existence of hack was not made public by officials until the 24th May that year.

On 6th June 2002, the Californian Senate Committee on Privacy, held an informational hearing on the incident to explore why the breach was not disclosed in a more proactive and timely fashion. […]

By |2022-11-14T13:40:29+00:00November 14th, 2022|
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