Director

Conal McGarrity

Conal became the youngest legal director in Ireland when he was appointed director in 2017.  He qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 having graduated from Queen’s University where he received the Lord Chief Justice’s Prize for academic achievement.

He practices in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  He is an expert in the areas of human rights, dispute resolution, medical negligence, fraud & financial crime.

He is regularly instructed in the most serious and high-profile cases within Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland.  He currently represents clients in cases pending before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the Supreme Court in London and the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.  Conal also tutors in the areas of public law and medical negligence at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Conal is also instructed in challenges against State authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in respect of failures to establish Public Inquiries to investigate the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in each jurisdiction.  He is also the Recognised Legal Representative for NI Covid Bereaved Families for Justice in the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry which is due to begin hearings in May 2023 in London.

Conal represented his county, Tyrone at minor level where he won an Ulster Championship medal.  He has also won McRory Cup & Hogan Cup medals with his school, St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon.

Solicitor

Enda McGarrity

Enda joined PA Duffy & Company as a paralegal in 2018 having graduated from Queens University Belfast with honours. After completing his apprenticeship with PA Duffy and Company Enda qualified as a solicitor and is now head of the Healthcare department in the firm.

Enda’s caseload consists of high value medical negligence claims, historical abuse claims, Inquests and Judicial Review. He is also instructed in various challenges against State authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in respect of failures to establish Public Inquiries to investigate the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in each jurisdiction.

Enda has a strong sense of justice and is always keen to assist the most vulnerable people in society. During his training Enda took part in a 5-week human rights internship in Cape Town, South Africa where he provided legal assistance to refugees and members of the LGBTQI community who were being subjected to discrimination. He continues to carry these values in his current workload by representing the interests of vulnerable care home residents, bereaved families, victims of historical abuse and those who have suffered significant injuries as a result of medical negligence.

Enda is a keen Gaelic footballer, he has represented County Tyrone at Minor level and continues to play for his club Galbally Pearses GAC. Enda has received an Ulster Colleges All-star award and was a member of the Elite Athlete Programme at Queens University Belfast. He is also an active member of a charity called St Ciaran’s Peregrini who provide aid to a small town in Zambia and he has visited Zambia on three occasions to assist on various community projects.

Solicitor

Jim McGinnis

Jim holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Law from the University of Ulster.  He is an experienced solicitor and advocate.  He specialises in Human Rights Law, and Administrative & Public Law, and has brought Judicial Review challenges against a range of public authorities where they have breached the rights of citizens under national and/or international law. 

He has a keen interest in International Law and has successfully challenged the proposed extradition of individuals from the jurisdiction.

Jim is also an experienced criminal solicitor.  He has represented clients before Courts throughout the jurisdiction and represented clients in complex fraud cases.

Paralegal

Kaitlin Holdsworth

Kaitlin graduated with an LLB (Hons) in Law with Criminology from Ulster University in 2019. She is currently studying a Masters Degree in Access to Justice through Ulster University. The LLM in Access to Justice provides training in client care management, representation, dispute resolution, social security law, employment law and family law.

After graduating in 2019, Kaitlin secured employment in the Community Advice Sector working as a Social Security Tribunal Representative before joining the team at P.A. Duffy & Company in January 2023.

Kaitlin is currently working as part of our Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

Outside of work, Kaitlin is passionate about community work and has set up numerous cross-community initiatives and activities. She is also the Secretary of her local GAA club.

Paralegal

Sarah Kirk

Sarah joined P.A. Duffy and Company in January 2023 where she works as a Paralegal in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry Team.

She graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2020 with honours in International Politics and Conflict Studies and has recently graduated with a Master’s in Law from Queen’s University in 2022.

Sarah is an affable person who is passionate about enhancing the lives of others through her work. Previously she has acted as a tribunal representative, engaging in various community outreach programmes to represent and give a voice to those who otherwise would be unable to make themselves heard. Sarah is a strong orator selected on many occasions as a keynote speaker to discuss her determined commitment to inspiring resilience in others, most notably at the opening of The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s University Belfast.

Sarah is also a compelling champion for the environment. She has worked to lobby key institutions such as the government and Queen’s University Belfast to declare a climate emergency. She has a special interest in human rights and environmental justice and completed her master’s thesis across these areas, specifically to present a critical examination to question the adequacy of International Humanitarian Law and its ability to protect the environment during armed conflict.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading with a particular interest in the history of art and restoration. She often likes to travel when the opportunity arises to visit famous museums and galleries around the world.

Paralegal

Rachael Hynds

Rachael joined PA Duffy Solicitors in February 2023 as a Paralegal on the Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

Rachael graduated from Ulster University in 2020 with a 2:1 degree in Social Policy with Criminology, before moving to Liverpool to complete her LLM Qualifying Law degree with Liverpool John Moores University. Rachael has worked in law firms across the Liverpool City Region and Northern Ireland, gaining experience in both family law and property law.

Rachael is a warm, empathetic and approachable person, who wants to try and achieve the best outcomes for all clients. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys keeping fit and travelling when she can, as well as spending time with family and friends.

Paralegal

Morgan Horsfield

Morgan has recently completed her Law LLB (Hons) at Queens University Belfast and is currently awaiting her graduation. She was awarded a First Class Honours in her dissertation where she addressed Israeli-Palestinian conflict solutions in the modern world. Morgan has a particular interest in Human Rights Law and Medical Law.

Outside of work, Morgan enjoys playing camogie for her local GAA club, Eglish. She also spends time volunteering for her club by managing younger teams, fundraising for charity and refereeing. She was recently awarded the 200-hour Millennium Volunteer Award from doing so.

Morgan is currently working as part of our Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

Paralegal

Catherine Walker

Catherine began working at P.A. Duffy & Company in July 2021, she current assists our Covid 19 Public Inquiry Team. Catherine studied at Southwest College and then went on to study Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing Gaelic football for her local club Galbally Pearses, as well as attending the gym and travelling when she gets the chance.

Paralegal

Rachel Holland

Rachel joined P.A.Duffy and Co Solicitors in July 2023 where she works as a Paralegal in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry Team.

Rachel has recently graduated from her Law LLB (hons) at Queen’s University Belfast. Rachel participated in various mooting competitions during her time at University, competing at both intervarsity and internal levels. She has a particular interest in Human Rights Law and hopes to specialise in this later in her career.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys attending her local gym, spending time with friends and family and travelling when she can.

Paralegal

Oliwia Cirson

Oliwia joined P.A. Duffy and Co in June 2023 where she works as a Paralegal in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry Team.

Oliwia is going into her second year of her law degree at Ulster University (Magee). So far through exploring modules she is most interested in administrative law and is looking forward to learn public international law in second year. Oliwia was course representative during her first year at Ulster University.

Outside of work Oliwia enjoy reading books, running, and spending time with her family and friends. Oliwia enjoys gaelic games and has previously played football for the Moy. 

Paralegal

Una Campbell

Una joined P.A. Duffy and Company in July 2023 where she works as a Paralegal in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry Team.

Una has recently graduated from Queens University Belfast with a Law LLB (Hons) degree. Una has a particular interest in medical law and hopes to specialise in this field in her future career.

Outside of work Una enjoys playing Gaelic football for her local club Pomeroy Plunketts. Una also enjoys spending time with family and friends and travelling when she can.