Conal McGarrity

Conal is the Managing Director of P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors, with overall responsibility for the firm’s strategic direction, operational leadership and client engagement. He plays a central role in representing the firm at senior level and is closely involved in advising clients on complex, high‑value and high‑profile legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Conal qualified as a solicitor in 2014, having graduated from Queen’s University Belfast, where he was awarded the Lord Chief Justice’s Prize in recognition of outstanding academic achievement. In 2017, he became the youngest legal director in Ireland, reflecting both his exceptional ability and rapid progression within the profession.

He practises in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and is recognised for his expertise in human rights, dispute resolution, medical negligence, fraud and financial crime. Conal is regularly instructed in some of the most serious, complex and high‑profile cases across both jurisdictions. He currently represents clients in proceedings before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the Supreme Court in London and the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, demonstrating the depth and breadth of his experience at the highest judicial levels.

Alongside his practice, Conal contributes to legal education as a tutor at Queen’s University Belfast, teaching in the areas of public law and medical negligence, further reinforcing his reputation as a leading practitioner in these disciplines.

Conal is also extensively engaged in public law challenges against State authorities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, particularly in relation to failures to establish Public Inquiries into the handling of the Covid‑19 pandemic. He is the Recognised Legal Representative for NI Covid Bereaved Families for Justice in the UK Covid‑19 Public Inquiry, which is proceeding in London.

Beyond his professional career, Conal has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment through sport. He represented County Tyrone at minor level, winning an Ulster Championship medal and also won McRory Cup and Hogan Cup medals with St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon, achievements that reflect discipline, teamwork and resilience.

• In the matter of an application by JR79 for Judicial Review & in the matter of decisions taken by a school and a Health & Social Care Trust – Judicial Review, High Court Northern Ireland – Article 8 – judgment granted in favour of client (child).

• In the matter of an application by TKF for Judicial Review – Judicial Review, High Court Northern Ireland – challenge to EU Regulation 4/2009 on the application & enforcement of foreign maintenance orders prior to member state becoming a member of the EU

• In the matter of an application by Tadeusz Stach for Judicial Review – Judicial Review, High Court Northern Ireland – challenge to the Conservative Government policy of homeless EEA nationals

• In the matter of an application by Raymond Archer for Judicial Review – Judicial Review, High Court – challenge to access to budgeting loan for a class of benefit recipients (264,000 individuals)

• In the matter of an application by BMN1 for Judicial Review – Judicial Review, High Court Belfast – challenge to school/Education Authority on a decision to exclude a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) from school/ failure to make proper educational provision

• Barbara Kozyra v St James Hospital, Dublin – Medical negligence, High Court Dublin – stem cell transplant mistake resulting in avoidable death – substantial settlement

• MB v Belfast Health & Social Care Trust – Medical negligence, High Court Belfast – significant injuries due to failure to administer required treatment – substantial settlement

• RJ v Southern Health & Social Care Trust – Medical negligence, High Court Belfast, stroke resulting in significant brain injury

• MJ (a child) v Belfast Health & Social Care Trust – Medical Negligence, High Court Belfast – catastrophic birthing injury

• Southern Health & Social Care Trust v RK and in the Matter of RM (a child), Care Proceedings & Freeing for Adoption (defending) – High Court Belfast

• Southern Health & Social Care Trust v LA and in the Matter of PA & RA (a child), Care Proceedings & Freeing for Adoption (defending) – High Court Belfast

• Southern Health & Social Care Trust v PD and in the matter of PS & PR (a child) – Care Proceedings, High Court Belfast

• R v M & others, ongoing allegation MTIC £39 million fraud

• R v F & others – ongoing allegation of a £215 million money laundering

• Hickson Commission – Public Inquiry, Dublin (ongoing) – The Commission will inquire into the level of knowledge of the offences committed by notorious paedophile Billy Kinneally was held by a number of organisations including An Garda Siochana, the Waterford Diocese, the South Eastern Health Board, Basketball Ireland and high profile political figures

• In the Matter of a Preliminary Reference under Article 267 TFEU from the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland to the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg – Case Number 1132471 EN Preliminary Reference C-729/19

• R v Djalo & Ors – Murder

• R v Lawlor & 2 ORS – Rape

• R v SB – Rape

• Judicial Review 18 Applicants -v- An Taoiseach, Minister for Health, Minister for Finance, Attorney General Ireland – challenge to the Republic of Ireland Government’s failure to hold an investigation into nursing home deaths during Covid-19 pandemic

• Recognised Legal Representative for NI Covid 19 Bereaved Families for Justice – UK COVID-19 Public Inquiry

• Application by Oliver Hughes for Judicial Review and in the Matter of Decisions of The Department for Communities – challenge to the prohibition on the operation of private crematoria in Northern Ireland