Road Traffic Accidents

If you have ever been involved in a road accident, you need to be represented by an experienced personal injury lawyer. All road traffic accidents have distinct features but regardless of whether you were involved in a car accident, bus accident, motorcycle or other vehicle, Vincent and Tim will do all they can to get you the highest possible compensation.

Rules relating to buses and other people carriers are stricter than that of cars. There is a special duty to take care of passengers and Vincent and Tim Shannon can look after your personal injury case whether you were the bus driver, the bus passenger or travelling in another vehicle involved in an accident with a bus or a train.

An insurance company will be responsible for paying compensation to the victim of a car accident. If the accident is the fault of somebody else you are entitled to take a claim for loss and injury suffered which may include healthcare for serious injuries as well as repair of damaged vehicles. Vincent and Tim Shannon will ensure you recover the total compensation you deserve. Injuries such as whiplash, back and spinal injuries can cause long term loss and it is vital for you to instruct experienced lawyers, like Vincent and Tim Shannon.

Even low impact accidents can cause serious injury affecting vital parts of the body such as the back, neck and limbs.

If you were involved in a hit and run or an uninsured driver accident Shannons will deal with the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland who compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified drivers. With the help of Vincent and Tim Shannon you will be able to move on after a difficult time in your life, with a free consultation from our personal injury team to take you through your case.

Vincent Shannon has been cycling in the Dublin area for 30 years and during that time he has seen how talking on a mobile phone, speed and fatigue often cause motorists to collide with cyclists causing serious injury and loss to the cyclist.

Experienced cyclist injury lawyer Vincent Shannon can obtain compensation for you to recover all your losses like medical bills and bike repair.

Cyclists on Irish roads are at a huge disadvantage and there have been some very serious accidents and fatalities. Cyclists have very little chance if involved in an accident with a vehicle.

Vincent or Tim will be able to advise you in relation to problems such as “blind spots”, where a car or truck pulls out from a parked position or cuts across the road in front of a bike or where a motorist opens a car door in front of an on coming cyclist.

Motorcycle accidents present different aspects which require experienced lawyers like Vincent and Tim Shannon. You need a motorcycle accident specialist who is a motorcyclist himself, Vincent has been using his BMW motorcycle in Dublin for many years, and understands exactly how motorcycle accidents occur and where blame lies.

The dangers of motor cycle riding and the serious injuries incurred by motorcyclists are a specialised area of personal injury law and the team behind Vincent and Tim Shannon can provide you with a comprehensive service as you go through this process.

We will make sure your medical and healthcare bills are paid. A free consultation can be arranged for you by contacting Vincent or Tim Shannon on 01-8401780 or e-mail vincent@shannons.ie

The Civil Partnership Act, 2010

The Civil Partnership Act, 2010 deals with not only the registration of civil partnerships for same sex couples but also sets up a scheme for unmarried co-habiting couples both of the same sex and opposite sex who can now legalise their relationship and Tim Shannon of Shannons Solicitors is a specialist in this area and was instrumental in drafting the first Co-Habitation agreement.  The new Act of 2010 does the following:-

1.      Sets up a redress scheme which provides protection for people at the end of a long-term same sex or opposite sex relationship. The Court can make Orders similar to those made by Court in Divorce or Separation proceedings  including property adjustment orders, compensation orders, maintenance orders, pension adjustment orders and applications for provision from the estate of a deceased co-habitant.  

2.      The Act sets out the definition of a qualified co-habitant as a couple of the same sex or opposite sex living together for a period of two years or more where they are parents of one or more dependent children and five years or more otherwise.  

3.      Each case will be dealt with on its own merits but the court will be mindful of the following when deciding if couples at the end of a relationship come within the meaning of co-habitant;

                                   i.            The duration of the relationship. 

                                ii.            The basis on which the couple live together.

                              iii.            The degree of financial dependence of either adult on the other.

                              iv.            The degree and nature of any financial arrangements between the adults.

                                 v.            Whether there are one or more dependent  children.

                              vi.            Whether one of the adults cares for  and supports the children of the other.

                            vii.            The degree to which the adults present themselves to others as a couple.

4.      In general the co-habitants must prove that they live together in an intimate and committed relationship and that they are not related to each other within the prohibited degrees of relationship or married to each other or civil partners of each other.

If you would like to talk about the effects of the new legislation on you or your partner or if you would like to discuss the drawing up of a co-habitation agreement please call Tim Shannon, based in Swords, at 01 840 1780 or send an e-mail to tim@shannons.ie 

Unmarried Parents

When it comes to parent's rights and status regarding their children, in Ireland it highly depends on whether the parents are married or not. It may be common knowledge but a married father has joint custody and is the joint guardian of the child. An unmarried father would not have these rights automatically and would have to apply to the Courts for them.

When a child is born, the mother, on the other hand, has sole custody and sole guardianship. Again, the father does not have automatic rights and must apply in the District Court for custody and guardianship.

Many fathers are unaware of their rights if a relationship, unfortunately, comes to the end and it's extremely important to know. Being ignorant of the subject could fare badly for the father when it comes to seeing their child. Of course, the most important factor is the welfare of the child- it is within the rights of the Court to decide and consider what is at the child's best interests and safety. Access to the child is the right of the child and not just the parents.

Laura and Tim Shannon are experts in Family Law at Shannons Solicitors in Swords, Co. Dublin and are here to help you with any queries you might have about the aftermath of a relationship and to talk to you about your rights. If you're looking for legal advice that's free, confidential and expertly given, don't hesitate to call Shannons on 01-8401780 or e-mail vincent@shannons.ie

Catholic Church – Liable for Abuse by Priests

In a recent English court case a Judge held that the Catholic Church and Senior Bishops can be held legally responsible for sexual abuse by priests.

A decision was given in favour of a 47 year old woman who claims that she was sexually assaulted as a child by a deceased priest.

The woman was a resident of a children’s home run by an order of nuns.

The Judge held that the church “may be vicariously liable”.

This means that by virtue of the relationship between the church, the bishop, and the abusing priest, the church can be held responsible for the actions of the priest, as she was under the care of the church at the time.

This was the first time a court had been asked to rule on whether the relationship between a catholic priest and his bishop is akin to an employment relationship. Clearly the courts in England are ruling towards holding that bishops and the church are responsible for the actions of priests who serve under the bishop and while a member of the church.

The claimant in this case is seeking damages for personal injury. She alleges she was sexual abused and raped by the priest in 2006 when she was a resident at the children’s home. The Judge stated that the priest was appointed by and on behalf of the church and the bishop. He was so appointed in order to do the work of the church and the work of the bishop.

He said it as they who appointed him to the position of trust which (if the allegations be proved) he so abused.

If you or anyone close to you has suffered abuse while under the care of the church, please contact Tim or Vincent Shannon to discuss the matter further, telephone 01 8401780 or email vincent@shannons.ie.

We have a dedicated website:  http://www.raphoe-cloyne-sex-abuse.ie/  which will constantly be updated with latest news and information with regards to Clerical abuse.

Personal Injury Law

In a perfect world, personal injury would be avoided. However, if you find yourself in such a situation where you need legal back up for any injury related situation, keep Tim, Laura and Vincent in mind as they are here to help.

Accidents change lives, affect financial stability and job security and mental as well as physical health. If you have been the victim of an injury that wasn't your fault, then you are more than entitled to compensation.

Beyond that, enlisting the help of Shannons Solicitors could make a positive domino effect on the well-being and safety of others who could potentially be harmed in the future.

Our aim is simple: We want to be there to answer your questions promptly on the phone, in person or via e-mail. We're here to give you legal advice that represents your best interests.

Don't hesitate to get in touch if an injury has affected you or a loved one. 

Dental Negligence

Shannons Solicitors, Swords are involved in several dental malpractice claims where clients

have suffered dental injuries such as wisdom tooth injuries, root canal, fillings, crowns,

bridges and periodontal disease.

In a recent case a woman won €255,000 compensation for agony she suffered as a result of a

dental procedure.

Due to the dentist’s negligence the woman’s life and lifestyle had been diminished to an

extraordinary degree.

She first sought treatment for a loose crown which had been applied to one of her upper front

teeth by another dental surgeon.

Her new dentist found she was missing several teeth and was suffering from the gum disease

periodontics.

The Judge found that it was inappropriate to apply braces to the Plaintiff’s upper jaw and to

her lower jaw. The Judge said he was satisfied on the evidence of an expert witness that as

a result of the dentist’s negligence, the Plaintiff’s treatment and recovery had probably been

delayed by about fifteen or twenty years.

If you have suffered any injuries as a result of dental negligence please contact Vincent

Shannon or Tim Shannon immediately to discuss your case to see if you have suffered

injuries as a result of dental negligence.

Call Vincent or Tim Shannon on 01 840 1780, or

Email vincent@shannons.ie www.shannons.ie