Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1253Professional misconduct (solicitor) · Co. Mayo

Suspended solicitor Declan O'Callaghan appeals professional misconduct finding over Co Mayo land deal

Suspended solicitor Declan O'Callaghan is appealing four counts of professional misconduct found by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal arising from his handling of a 2006 Co Mayo land transfer in which €250,000 was never paid to Nirvanna Holdings, a company of businessman Tom Fleming. The High Court heard that O'Callaghan is advancing a 'wholly false' narrative that the deal was simply a business venture that went wrong.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe misconduct arose from his handling of a 2006 Co Mayo €250,000 land transfer deal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe breaches include failure to ensure consideration for the transaction was on account before effecting the land transfer. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe breaches include failure to avoid conflict of interest by acting for both vendor and purchaser. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe breaches include failure to advise shareholders of Nirvanna separately regarding the conveyance. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTom Fleming is now aged 81, left school at 13, and is dyslexic. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFleming did not know he was still a shareholder in Western Concrete in 2006. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFred Preston held the other share in Western Concrete. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenFleming suffered a heart attack in 2005 and decided to step away from some business involvement. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenNiamh Creighton phoned Fleming on November 20th, 2006, to say he would need another solicitor for the land transfer deal. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe appeal continues on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jul2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Suspended solicitor weaving ‘wholly false’ narrative over nature of land deal, High Court told

    High Court hearing of O'Callaghan's appeal; Tom Fleming gave evidence as the sole witness for the Law Society; the appeal continues to Thursday before Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins.

    accused, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Tom Fleming, 81, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Fleming