Séamus Clarke SC

Séamus is a Senior Counsel with substantial experience in criminal law, employment law, judicial review/habeas corpus proceedings, planning law, general commercial law and intellectual property law. Séamus is frequently entrusted to prosecute and defend in cases of murder, manslaughter, rape and sexual offences, sale and supply of drugs, false imprisonment, dangerous driving causing death and other serious crime.

He recently represented the DPP in DPP -v- F.E where the Supreme Court laid down sentencing guidance as to the proper approach by judges in rape cases.

In 2018, he represented the first person acquitted in a murder case defended under the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act, 2011. He has been nominated to represent An Garda Síochána before the Hickson Commission of Investigation (Response to complaints or allegations of child sexual abuse made against Bill Kenneally and related matters). Séamus is a Member of the Bar Council of Ireland and has been Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee since 2020.

Criminal

DPP -v- Gormley and White [2014] 2 I.R. 591; [2014] 1 I.L.R.M. 377 – constitutional right of access to a solicitor while in custody – Supreme Court 

DPP -v- BA [2018] 2 I.R. 715 – interception of postal communication – drugs offences – Supreme Court 

DPP -v- Keith Wilson [2019] 1 I.R. 96 – surreptitious gathering of DNA evidence from suspect in custody – admissibility – stopping trial and/or warning juries where only evidence is DNA evidence – Supreme Court 

DPP -v- Eadon [2019] IESC 28 – intoxication – defence to murder – test is lack of specific intent and not lack of capacity to form an intent 

DPP -v- Sheehan [2020] IECA 142 – transferring trial venue – coming off record – adverse inferences – discharge of jury  

DPP -v- Abdi [2019] IECA 38 – s. 2 Criminal Procedure Act 1993 – schizophrenic diagnosis post-conviction for murder – newly discovered fact – conviction quashed 

DPP -v- Byrne, Farrelly & Byrne [2020] IECA 108 – admissibility of mobile phone records and call data records 

DPP -v- CC & MF [2016] IECA 261 and [2016] IECA 263 – s. 23 of the CPA 2010 – real evidence – admissibility of mobile phone records – cell data records and cell site analysis 

DPP -v- Kavanagh, Farrelly & Corcoran [2012] IECCA 65 – applicants could rely on Damache to quash their convictions and seek re-trial – had raised legal issue at trial 

DPP -v- Sherlock [2019] IECA 223 – Rape – good character direction – R. v. Vye [1993] 1 WLR 471 not followed 

DPP -v- Martin Kelly [2016] IECA 404 – murder – punishment shooting – joint enterprise – application of DPP v Dekker [2017] 2 I.R. 1  

DPP -v- Gibney [2016] IECA 336 – murder – joint enterprise – application of R. v. Jogee [2016] UKSC 8 

DPP -v- Warren [2016] IECA 198 – jury selection – composition of juries 

DPP -v- O’Brien and Stewart [2016] IECA 146 – voice recognition evidence – statements pursuant to s. 16 CJA 2006 

DPP -v- Prior [2016] IECA 375 – sexual assault – corroboration warning – failure to withdraw from jury – Prosecution closing speech forcibly and properly put the prosecution’s perspective before the jury 

DPP -v- Hanley [2015] IECA 112 – fingerprint evidence – circumstantial case 

DPP -v- Massoud [2009] IECCA 94 – Lucas warning – search warrants 

DPP -v- Martin Keenan (Irish Times, 14th March 2018, CCC) – murder – acquittal – self-defence – Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011 

DPP -v- Howe (Irish Times, 15th October 2003, CCC) – murder – directed acquittal – DNA evidence – forensic scientist unqualified in statistics – brother defence 

Sentencing

DPP -v- F.E. [2019] IESC 85 – CA erred by viewing a rape in isolation from a prior threat of violence – sentencing bands for Rape – function of Counsel in sentencing 

DPP -v- F.E. (No. 2) [2020] IESC 5 – Rape and sexual violence – Guidance as to appropriate sentence – Jurisdiction of the Court 

DPP -v- R.K. [2016] IECA 208 – Section 4 Rape and sexual assault of young girl – in loco parentis – severity of sentence – 18 years (5 suspended) for S.4 Rape reduced to 12 years (2 suspended) – 13 years concurrent for sexual assault reduced to 8 years 

DPP -v- Clohessy [2016] IECA 356 – s. 15A Misuse of Drugs – especially lenient but not unduly lenient – application of DPP –v- Ryan & Rooney [2015] IECA 2 and DPP –v- McCormack [2000] 4 IR 356 

DPP -v- Prior (No. 2) [2016] IECA 376 – historic sexual assault – sentence longer than strictly necessary in light of no previous convictions, age, health issues and inevitable disruption of business activities 

Employment Law

McCarthy -v- ISS Ireland [2018] IECA 287 – vicarious liability – upwards bullying – duty of care to provide safe place of work 

Rowland -v- An Post [2017] IESC 20 – fairness of procedures – dismissal – intervention in ongoing statutory process only if irremediably gone wrong  

Kelleher -v- An Post [2013] IEHC 328 (Peart J., High Court) and [2016] IECA 195 (CA) – fairness of procedures – dismissal – postmaster 

Boyle -v- An Post [2015] IEHC 589 (Barrett J., High Court) – injunction – employment law – termination of employment 

O’Leary -v- An Post [2015] IEHC 589 (Keane J., High Court) – injunction – employment law – termination of employment 

Crowe -v- An Post [2016] ELR 93 – Employment Appeals Tribunal – criminal conviction – drug supply – gross misconduct – breach of trust – fair dismissal 

Morgan –v- Bank of Ireland [2008] 19 ELR 339 (Equality Tribunal) and Labour Court (ET successfully overturned on appeal) – equality law – family status discrimination – job sharing within the exigencies of the business 

Extradition/EAW

MJE -v- Kubalek [2021] IECA 192 – Section 11 (1A) (g) (iii) EAW Act 2003 – specificity as to penalty – trial in absentia – effect of right to appeal 

MJE -v- Bukoshi [2018] 2 I.R. 576 – whether letter received from the Criminal Justice Division of the Scottish Government is a request in writing from the issuing state – Section 28(4) Framework Decision – onward extradition to third state  

MJELR -v- Gorman [2010] 3 I.R. 583 – Article 8 ECHR – right to family life – delay in seeking surrender to issuing state  

MJE –v- Shannon [2012] IEHC 91 – s. 37 EAW Act 2003 – likelihood of a fair trial in UK – bad character evidence 

Judicial Review

Cunningham -v- The Commissioner of An Garda Síochána [2019] IEHC  104 – forfeiture order – collateral attack – time limits per Order 84 RSC 

MDS –v- DPP [2020] IEHC 252 – prosecutorial delay – juvenile 

Dillon -v- DPP [2008] 1 I.R. 383 – begging – S.3 Vagrancy Act, 1847 unconstitutional – vague statute – breach of Article 40.3 and Article 40.6.1 – free expression and communication 

Osmanovic -v- DPP [2006] 3 IR 504 – Supreme Court – constitutionality of revenue offences 

Bird –v- Brady & DPP [2008] IEHC 180 – District Court judge’s refusal to provide legal aid for theft offences – Supreme Court overturned High Court decision on consent after Joyce –v- Brady & DPP [2011] 3 I.R. 376 

Cremin -v- Dineen [2009] IEHC 289 – extent of hybrid offences 

General

O’Callaghan v Ireland [2020] IECA 180 – common law right to damages for miscarriage of justice 

Heraty -v- Martin Caldwell & Mount Carmel Medical Group (unreported, 27th March 2014, Hanlon J.) – medical negligence – standard of care 

Relevant papers to legal conferences & seminars  

• Legal Issues for Psychotherapists, Play Therapists and Counsellors – All you need to know for working with children, adolescents and vulnerable adults – Legal Seminar – Childrens Therapy Centre – 17th April 2020, 13th April 2019, 21st April 2018, 22nd April 2017, 16th April 2016, 18th April 2015, 12th April 2014, 14th April 2013, 19th May 2012, 14th May 2011 and 22nd May 2010  
• Vye Directions on Good Character – A Problem Side-Stepped – ICBA Conference, 6th July 2019 
• Recent Developments in Bail – Irish Rule of Law (“IRL”) Conference – 1st December 2017  
• “Criminal, Civil & Commercial Cases – What Does the Expert Know: Discovery and Disclosure” – Expert Witness Conference – Clontarf Castle – 4th December 2014 
• “Experts and the Rules of Evidence”: CPD Seminar – The Engineer as an Expert Witness – Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, D4 – 10th May 2012
• “Bail Applications” – The Criminal Law Conference, Central Law Training – 29th September 2006 

Former Member of the Barristers’ Professional Conduct Appeals Tribunal 

Adjunct Professor of International IP Law at the University of Tulsa Summer Law School, held annually at UCD  

Member of the Faculty of the Bar Council Advanced Advocacy Trainers and regularly teaches advocacy skills to other barristers