High Court suspends Forest Fest founder Philip Meagher from legal practice
The High Court has suspended solicitor Philip Meagher, founder of the Forest Fest festival in Co Laois, from practice after a Law Society of Ireland action. He must disclose his bank accounts and assets and set out a wind-down plan for his firm.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Left · 1The High Court has suspended Philip Meagher of Midland Legal Solicitors in Portlaoise, Co Laois, from legal practice and ordered him to disclose all information about his bank accounts. The Irish TimesLC “A solicitor known for establishing a Co Laois music festival has been suspended from legal practice by the High Court and ordered to disclose all information about his bank accounts.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Mixed · 2The suspension comes amid a Law Society of Ireland case, and the Irish Independent describes the action as suspending a popular Midlands solicitors' practice after Law Society action. The Irish TimesLC “comes amid a Law Society case which has led to severe measures against him” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Irish IndependentRC “High Court suspends popular Midlands solicitors practice after Law Society of Ireland action” Read at Irish Independent ↗ Left · 1Meagher is also founder of the annual Forest Fest music and arts festival in Emo, Co Laois, where Echo & the Bunnymen and Madness performed in July. The Irish TimesLC “Meagher is founder of the annual Forest Fest music and arts festival in Emo at which Echo & the Bunnymen and Madness performed in July.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Left · 1Under an order issued on October 1st, he must swear an affidavit within 14 days disclosing all information on any bank accounts in his own name, his firm's name, joint accounts, or accounts held by third parties in which he has a beneficial interest. The Irish TimesLC “In an order issued on October 1st, the High Court directed Meagher to swear an affidavit within 14 days disclosing all information about any bank accounts in his own name.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Left · 1He must also swear an affidavit within 14 days on his assets and any assets no longer in his control, giving his belief as to where they are and expert written valuations. The Irish TimesLC “Meagher must also swear an affidavit within 14 days disclosing all information on his assets and any assets no longer in his control.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Left · 1The interim suspension order bars him from disposing of assets, or directing their disposal, without High Court permission, and requires him to lodge any client money he has received to the appropriate client accounts. The Irish TimesLC “The interim suspension order forbids Meagher from disposing of any of his assets or directing the disposal of any assets without permission from the High Court.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Left · 1He has a fortnight to propose an orderly wind-down of the practice, including moving client files to other firms and returning documents, title deeds and wills, and to hand over client ledgers, computers, hard drives and passwords. The Irish TimesLC “He has been directed to set out proposals within a fortnight for the orderly wind-down of his practice and hand over all his client ledgers, computers, hard drives and passwords.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Left · 1The ruling, by Judge Oisín Quinn, orders banks holding client or office accounts for the firm to pay the contents to the Law Society for reimbursement to clients, and to hand over six years of statements. The Irish TimesLC “The ruling from Judge Oisín Quinn orders banks holding client or office accounts for Meagher’s firm to pay the contents of the accounts to the Law Society for reimbursement to clients as part of the wind-down.” Read at The Irish Times ↗ Left · 1The Law Society had been considering an interim investigation report from an accountant who inspected Meagher's practice. The Irish TimesLC “The Law Society, which regulates the solicitors’ profession, has been considering an interim investigation report from an accountant who carried out an inspection of Meagher’s practice.” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Left · 1Meagher said his office is "positively engaged in a process with the Law Society" and that "the primary issue giving rise to the order had been addressed prior to the order being made". He said plans for Forest Fest 27 are "ploughing ahead". The Irish TimesLC ““The primary issue giving rise to the order had been addressed prior to the order being made.”“Plans for Forest Fest 27 are ploughing ahead” Read at The Irish Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Irish Times gives a detailed account of the court order's terms, linking the solicitor to his festival and including his response.
- Emphasis
- Specific obligations on Meagher, bank directions, and his statement that the festival will continue.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not say what the accountant's report found or what the primary issue was.
- Charged language
- “severe measures”
- For example
-
“comes amid a Law Society case which has led to severe measures against him” — The Irish Times
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- The Irish Independent headline stresses the suspension of a 'popular' Midlands practice after Law Society action, focusing on the practice rather than the festival.
- Emphasis
- Impact on a well-known local practice and the Law Society's role.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Headline alone gives no detail on the order's terms or Meagher's response.
- Charged language
- “popular”
- For example
-
“High Court suspends popular Midlands solicitors practice after Law Society of Ireland action” — Irish Independent
What every side reports
- The High Court has suspended Philip Meagher's solicitors practice following Law Society of Ireland action.
Philip Meagher person
Says his office is engaged with the Law Society, the main issue was addressed before the order, and Forest Fest 27 plans continue.
“Further to the recent order my office is now positively engaged in a process with the Law Society.” — The Irish Times
Law Society of Ireland organisation
As regulator, it has been considering an accountant's interim report and is to receive bank account contents and statements under the order.
“The Law Society, which regulates the solicitors’ profession, has been considering an interim investigation report” — The Irish Times
Left1 article
-
Solicitor behind Forest Fest music event suspended from legal practice by High Court
Neutral Detailed factual report of the order's terms, with Meagher's response and festival link.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
-
High Court suspends popular Midlands solicitors practice after Law Society of Ireland action
Neutral Headline presents the suspension as action against a popular local practice following Law Society proceedings.
- 8 Oct 06:15 First The Irish TimesLC Solicitor behind Forest Fest music event suspended from legal practice by High Court
- 8 Oct 11:00 +4h 45m Irish IndependentRC High Court suspends popular Midlands solicitors practice after Law Society of Ireland action
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.