Episode 125 The Fifth Court

John Brennan ran America’s most secretive operations as CIA director. Now he’s sharing what he learned about balancing intelligence, justice, and democracy. From briefing presidents to confronting terror, Brennan gives The Fifth Court a rare insider’s view—and explains why Ireland’s Centre for Justice and Law Reform Summer School 2025 could shape vital global conversations. The Fifth Court co-presenter Peter Leonard seized his chance to get a rare interview with this world player. Fascinating.

The episode also includes recent important cases drawn from the Decisis casebook and discussed by Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL.

These cases are brought to you thanks to Charltons Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, Georges St. Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

This episodes cases include;

• Were the Garda Siochana justified in refusing station bail following an arrest for an alleged breach of a barring order
• 'Passing off', Yoplait V Nutrica (maker of Danone)
• Mount Salus Residents V An Bord Pleanala involving a County Development Plan

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or at thefifthcourt.ie and give us a Five Star ***** Review!

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Conversation from the Bench, Retired Judge Alice Doyle at the Inaugural Kilkenny Law Festival

Recorded live at the Kilkenny Law Festival, this special episode of The Fifth Court — recent Merit Award winner of the Law Society of Ireland's Awards — features a wide-ranging conversation with Retired Circuit Judge Alice Doyle. With over two decades on the bench, Judge Doyle shares rare insights into the pressures of presiding over criminal, family, and civil cases across Ireland.

She is very self-effacing about her school days and her lack of qualifications early on...however she made up for it later.

She discusses the human stories behind the courtroom, including her first time giving a long sentence for a crime, the evolution of legal practice, and life after retirement. A must-listen for legal professionals and court-watchers alike.

Her culture recommendation? A movie, 'My Cousin Vinnie'.

The episode also includes recent important cases drawn from the Decisis casebook and discussed by Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL.

These cases are brought to you thanks to Charltons Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, Georges St. Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

This episodes cases include;

• An appeal of findings of 'professional misconduct' - a solicitor was not happy with a disciplinary hearing finding
• A case where a child was not entitled to special care as all other options had not been exhausted
• A case involving a Garda disciplinary issue where the Garda was seeking a Judicial Review

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The Murderer, the Memoirist & the Mystery That Lingers

On episode 123 of The Fifth Court, we’re joined by Mark O’Connell, Irish Times contributor and author of the acclaimed A Thread of Violence, his gripping account of the life — and crimes — of Malcolm MacArthur.

In conversation with barristers Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, and recorded at the inaugural Kilkenny Law Festival 2025, O’Connell reflects on:

• The extraordinary access he had to MacArthur
• The unsettling contradictions at the heart of the man and the murders
• And the personal and ethical tightrope of writing about someone capable of extreme violence

He also shares behind-the-scenes stories and details that didn’t make it into the book — including a few surprises even seasoned observers may not know such as his preoccupation with dust...

If you thought you knew the MacArthur story… think again.

The episode also includes recent important cases drawn from the Decisis casebook and discussed by Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL.

These cases are brought to you thanks to Charltons Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners, Georges St. Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

This episodes cases include;

• A professional negligence action against two firms of solicitors
• A Judicial Review of a Compulsory Purchase Order of a farm brought against a Local Authority
• And, a Summary Judgement case involving a loan that had a number of previous 'owners'.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or at thefifthcourt.ie

#TheFifthCourt #IrishCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #LegalPodcast #MarkOConnell #ATreadofViolence #MalcolmMacArthur #IrishLaw #TrueCrimeIreland #IrishWriters #BarristersView #PodcastRecommendation #LinkedInVoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.