Personal Injury

Litigation Manager

Danielle Cromie

Partner

Gavin Booth

Gavin Booth specialises in Actions against the Police, Public Law and Prison Law. In a short time, he has developed a specialist practice in these areas.  He regularly appears in some of the most high-profile actions against the Police cases, prison law and public law challenges in this jurisdiction. 

Gavin has developed a specialist practice acting in legacy cases for those victims who have been bereaved or injured arising out of incidents during the conflict.  

He is currently involved in some of the most high-profile legacy cases emanating from the period commonly referred to as ‘the troubles,’ including the RUC murder of Colum Marks in April 1991, the murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth in 1976, the attack on the Thierafurth Inn Bar in November 1992, and the murders of Dwyane O’Donnell and Thomas Armstrong at Boyle’s Bar in Cappagh in March 1991.

Gavin has appeared in both the Irish Supreme Court and the UK Supreme Court.  In the Irish Supreme Court in YY -v- Minister for Justice, concerning the deportation of an ISIS suspect and in theUK Supreme Court in Re Anthony McIntyre [2019] which challenged the lawfulness of the controversial decision by the police to rely on tapes collected from the Boston College project. Gavin has also secured the largest civil settlement in the Boston College cases in this jurisdiction for the claimants.

Gavin holds an LLM Masters in Human Rights Law and Transitional Justice. Gavin co-authored two reports with Doughty Street Chambers in London. The first report was on the Repeal of the Human Rights Acts in Northern Ireland and the second on the effect of Media Concentration in Ireland. Gavin addressed the European Parliament in Brussels on two occasions.

Outside of work Gavin is also a Director of the Newry Charity Davina’s Ark which specialises in addiction and after care.

Actions against the Police & Public Law

1. Thierafurth Inn – Collusion in County Down (Re John McEvoy)

In 2016 the then Police Ombudsman Dr. Michael Maguire released his report on Loughinsiand. The report was tasked with looking at issues of Collusion between Loyalist paramilitaries and members of the Security forces including the RUC and UDR. The report ultimately concluded that collusion was a significant feature of the murders.  The Report for the first time linked other cases prior to the events at the Heights Bar in Loughinisland including the murder of Jack Kielty in Dundrum, the attempted murder of Peter McCarthy and the attack on the Thierafurth Inn in 1992. Mr John McEvoy challenged the failure of the PSNI to investigate the allegations into his attempted murder at the Thierafurth Inn in 1992 and sought a fresh independent investigation into the not only the events at the Thierafurth Inn, but all the murders associated with this murder gang.

The relevant media footage can be accessed here:  

2. Agent Provocateur Sandy Lynch and others (R -v- Clinton and Armstrong)

In an out of time appeal, Gavin was instructed by the appellants Clinton and Armstrong in successfully overturning the 30-year-old convictions as a result of the fresh evidence that they were entrapped by a state agent (or a covert human intelligence source) acting as an agent provocateur.

 The relevant media footage can be accessed here   

3. Raymond McCreesh Park (Re Rosaleen Murphy)

The applicant a Newry Pensioner and local resident sought to challenge the decision of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s decision to dispose of Raymond McCreesh Park through their D1 Disposal Process without consultation with the local community.

The relevant media footage can be accessed here

4. Boston College tapes (Re Anthony McIntyre)

This was a challenge to the Divisional Courts refusal to allow the applicant a right of appeal in Northern Ireland. The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear the applicant’s proposed appeal given that the court from which he seeks to appeal declined to certify that a point of law of general public importance was involved in the decision.

The relevant media footage can be accessed here

5. Irish Supreme Court in Deportation of ISIS Suspect

In this determination (YY v Minister for Justice & Equality), the Supreme Court granted YY leave for a leapfrog appeal from the High Court decision to allow his deportation to proceed, due to the exceptional circumstances of the case. YY was previously imprisoned for planning terrorist acts—including in Ireland. But, if deported to his home state, he faces the risk of treatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of torture).

The relevant media footage can be accessed here

The Judgment can be accessed here

6. RUC Murder of IRA volunteer Colum Marks (Re R. Rooney)

In 2016 the then Police Ombudsman History Directorate refused to establish an investigation to the death of Colum Marks in 1991. The Ombudsman claimed he was unable to order a fresh investigation in the absence of new information following a previous review by the RUC at the time. Following media attention in the case a new witness came forward which brought a fresh decision for a new investigation. 

The relevant media footage can be accessed here

7. Immediate Investigation by PONI into the murder of Colum Marks (Re Roisin Marks)

This matter relates to a Judicial Review application brought by Mrs. Róisin Marks in relation to the delay in investigation by the Police Ombudsman in investigating her son’s death in Downpatrick County Down by the RUC. The Applicant was granted leave to apply for judicial review against the decision of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (“PONI”) contained in the letter dated 20 July 2017, namely that PONI cannot conduct an investigation into the circumstances of Mr Marks death within a reasonable time scale due to the failure of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to provide sufficient funding to PONI. In 2017, Roisin Marks brought a judicial review challenge against the failure of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (“PONI”) to carry out a timeous investigation into her complaint about the shooting of Colum Marks in Downpatrick in 1991. She also sought to challenge the ongoing failure of the Department of Justice, the Executive Committee, and/or the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to provide adequate funding to the PONI to enable it to carry out legacy investigations without undue delay. 

The relevant media footage can be accessed here

8. DOJ failure to fund the Office of Police Ombudsman. (Re Brendan Morgan)

This matter relates to an application brought by Mr Brendan Morgan in relation to the failure of the Police Ombudsman to carry out a timeous investigation into his complaint into his attempted murder and the attack on the Thierafurth Inn Bar, in Kilcoo County Down in 1992. Background2.On 27 March 2019, Mr Morgan brought a judicial review challenge against the failure of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (“PONI”) to carry out a timeous investigation. He also sought to challenge the ongoing failure of the Department of Justice to provide adequate funding to the PONI to enable it to carry out legacy investigations without undue delay.

The relevant media footage can be accessed here  

9. Boston College Tapes (Re Anthony McIntyre)

In 2001 Mr. McIntyre became involved in an academic oral history project known as the “Belfast Project” with the tapes becoming known as the Boston College Tapes. On 3 September 2014 the PSNI requested that the PPS issue an ILOR in respect of McIntyre’s tapes. The ILOR was issued on 9 February 2015 through Mutual Legal Assistance under Section 7(5) of the Crime (International Cooperation) Act 2003 seeking access to McIntyre oral tapes. Mr. McIntyre sought to challenge this.

The Judgment can be accessed here

10. Further investigation into the murder of Seamus Ludlow (Re Thomas Fox)

This was a challenge to the decision of the Minister for Justice’s ongoing failure or refusal to establish two commissions of investigation pursuant to the Commission of Investigation Act 2004 (“the 2004 Act”) as per the recommendations of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Judge Henry Barron for the further Commissions into the handling of the murder of Seamus Ludlow by An Garda Síochána. In 2020 this matter was brought before the Court of Appeal in Dublin with judgment reserved.

The Judgment can be accessed here

Prison Law

11. Licence Conditions to extend to ROI  – (Re Gerard McManus (and Keith McConnan)

This was a challenge taken by Mr. McManus from County Donegal and Mr. McConnan from County Louth following their release on licence.  Each of the applicants were subject to licence conditions. These conditions required the applicants to reside in United Kingdom during the period of their licence. Both applicants through these proceedings challenged the refusal to permit them to reside in the Republic of Ireland during their conditions. 

The Judgment can be accessed here.

12. Right for separated Prisoners to use Internet for Education. (Re Brendan McConville)

This was a challenge brought regarding the prison failure to allow the applicant access to computer facilities whilst in custody for the purposes of completing his degree.  

The Judgment can be accessed here

The relevant media footage can be accessed here

13. Access to the Prison Library (Re Sean McVeigh)

This is a challenge brought against NIPS refusal to allow separated prisoners access to the Prison Library or access to Prison Library books. 

14. Transfer to separated conditions on safety grounds (Re: Luke O’Neill

The applicant was remanded to Maghaberry Prison on 27 September 2016. Since then he has been seeking admission to the separated landing for Republican prisoners at Roe House. He argues that it is only in these conditions that he will be safe in prison. His transfer to separated conditions was refused by way of a written notice on 26 October 2016.  As a result, he sought to challenge this citing safety concerns for the place he was housed. 

 The Judgment can be accessed here

15. Failure to properly investigate death threats (Re Luke O’Neill)

Following the matter being remitted by the Court of Appeal back to the trial judge the applicant sought extensive Discovery against the respondents which showed that there was a death threat against the Applicant in the place he was housed. An offer of £50,000 was placed against the applicant and the Prison became aware of this. The Applicant then sought to challenge this for a finding of a breach of Article 2 of ECHR. 

 The Judgment can be accessed here The relevant media footage can be accessed here

16. Information Sharing between Hospitals and Prisons (Re Michael Larkin).

This is a challenge to the refusal to permit the applicant a period of temporary release to visit his mother in hospital before her death. The Applicant argues that this was in breach of his rights as protected by Article 8 ECHR and was unlawful. The applicant learned in the proceedings that the Trust and the Prison refused to provide the necessary information to allow the correct decision to be made.

Director

Claire McKeegan

Claire McKeegan has been described as one of Northern Ireland’s leading human rights lawyers and a tireless advocate for justice.

She has developed a specialist practice in Human Rights, Public Law, and Litigation, becoming a notable figure in high-profile legal battles. She is recognised by Chambers and Partners as being among the leaders in her area of expertise.

Claire campaigned for and represented survivors and victims throughout the HIA Inquiry which reported in 2017.  Claire’s is recognised for her specialist practise representing victims and survivors of Historical and clerical abuse.   She was instrumental in securing over £100 million in compensation for victims of Historical institutional abuse following the JR80 Court of Appeal case. This landmark case, which found that the Executive acted unlawfully in failing to provide a compensation scheme, led directly to the passage of the HIA Redress Bill in Parliament, resulting in compensation payment to hundreds of victims of abuse.

In addition, Claire’s campaign work on behalf of patients and their families resulted in the Department of Health announcing a public inquiry into Muckamore Abbey Hospital, where she continues to advocate for answers and justice for the majority of the affected patients families affected by institutional abuse in a hospital setting in NI.

She represented the patients families at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in relation to a Challenge brought by one of the former staff at the hospital currently before the Crown Court to seek to suspend the Muckamore Inquiry.

Claire’s notable achievements include her work over the last decade in some of the most grave and serious sexual abuse cases against the Catholic Church. She lead the case on behalf of Gerard Gorman against the Diocese of Dromore and St Colmans College which ultimately resulted in the resignation of Bishop John McAreavey over his and Bishop Gerard Brooks handling of the Malachy Finegan abuse scandal.  This case is documented in BBC Spotlight Documentary “Buried Secrets” and “So young: The taking of my life by the Catholic Church ~ Gerard Gorman.”

She has secured the largest settlements for survivors of abuse in Northern Ireland including a recent case against the Congregation of the Order of the Vincentians for £1,000,000.000.

Claire also acted for multiple vulnerable individuals denied medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic and acted for a group of front line NHS doctors who were exposed during the pandemic without adequate Personal Protection Equipment to attempt to secure adequate provision of protective gear. https://www.irishnews.com/coronavirus/2020/03/26/news/-fearful-frontline-nurses-seek-legal-advice-over-mask-shortages-and-testing-1878959/

Another passion of Claires, where she is developing a growing caseload is in in environmental law. She has advanced cases that ensure the protection of green spaces in deprived communities, such as the high profile Judicial Review proceedings which were successful at the Court of Appeal in saving the Craigavon Park and Lake from construction.

More recently she successfully led the Judicial Review challenge against brought by an affected former patient, concerning the deregistration of Dr. Michael Watt, ensuring that clinical failings would be exposed in a public fitness-to-practise hearing.

Claire continues to work with and on behalf of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes in Northern Ireland and their efforts culminated in the launch of a Public Inquiry and Independent Panel into this appalling chapter of history. Her involvement in these complex and emotional cases spans the last decade.

Claire acted for the leading Legacy Civil Litigation case, John Flynn in the High Court and Court of Appeal.  This cited case set the parameters for discovery in troubles related legacy litigation in Northern Ireland.  The PSNI admitted liability in the course of the litigation in a case which alleges collusion between state agents and PSNI resulting in two attempts on our clients life.

Claire represents the family of murdered German backpacker, Inga Maria Hauser.  Inga was an 18-year-old student on holiday from her native Munich, interrailing round the UK, for a spring break in April 1988 when she was callously murdered and dumped in Ballypatrick Forest in North Antrim.  The family had endured 36 years of waiting for Justice and truth about the death of Inga, when Claire secured an Inquest into her death in 2024.  This ongoing case is in its preliminary stages before the Coroners Court in Belfast.

Claire a regular contributor on Human Rights law issues in both traditional and online media. She has made many appearances on UK and international news services including Sky news, BBC, RTE, ITV.

She has delivered a number of guest lectures at QUB, UU and the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland.

https://law.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLaw/news/archive-21-22/WomenasLegalChangemakersConference.html#:~:text=Claire%20McKeegan&text=She%20represents%20SAVIA%20and%20acted,through%20Parliament%20in%20November%202019.

NOTABLE CASES

1. John Flynn -v- PSNI https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/Flynn%2C%20John%20and%20The%20Chief%20Constable%20of%20the%20Police%20Services%20of%20Northern%20Ireland.pdf
2. JR80 Court of Appeal: Secured over £100 million in compensation for victims of institutional abuse. https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/JR80%27s%20Application_1.pdf

• Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry: Achieved inquiry into institutional abuse in a modern healthcare setting. https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/09/09/news/public-inquiry-major-victory-for-families-2060565/
• Clare McCann JR Court of Appeal.  This case quashed the decision of the ABC Council to grant planning to a Regional College in the Craigavon Park and Lake.  https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/McCann%27s%20%28Clare%29%20Application.pdf

• Malachy Finegan Abuse Scandal: Claire represented the lead survivor in his action.  The case Led to the resignation of Bishop John McAreavey and secured one of the largest settlements for abuse survivors. The case also set out guidelines in relation to 3^rd Party Disclosure in Personal Injury cases. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09rjqlt

https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/FS%20and%20The%20Diocese%20of%20Dromore%20and%20The%20Board%20of%20Governors%20of%20St%20Colman%27s%20College%2C%20Nerwy%20and%20The%20Department%20of%20Education.pdf

• COVID-19 Judicial Reviews: Represented vulnerable individuals and healthcare workers to obtain life-saving care and PPE during the pandemic. https://www.phoenix-law.org/spotlight-inside-the-pandemic/

• Mother and Baby Homes Public Inquiry: Secured justice for survivors after an eight-year campaign for a public inquiry.

https://www.loveballymena.online/post/tv-mother-and-baby-homes-in-the-spotlight-in-the-next-utv-up-close

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/27/opinion/pope-visit-ireland.html

• Dr. Michael Watt Case: Successfully challenged his deregistration, ensuring a public hearing into clinical failings by Judicial Review https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/%5B2023%5DNIKB46Final%20-%20Typed.pdf

• McClarnon McGuinness -v- The Sisters of Nazareth https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/decisions/Patricia%20McClarnon%20v%20The%20Sisters%20of%20Nazareth%20and%20Lindsay%20O%27Neill.pdf

1. HIA Data Breach – largest class Action in NI.  Interim advocate email data breach, so far she has secured compensation for 10 of the 89 plaintiffs. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj65nn13n8jo

1. Inga Maria Hauser link to murder in Badlands

Memberships and Recognition

1. Claire is on the committee and currently the Treasurer of the Belfast Solicitors Association
2. She is a Trustee of the Old Church Centre in Cushendun (Arts Centre)
3. She is Ranked by Chambers and Partners in Administrative and Public Law