Donal Creaton, Partner joined the firm in 1987 and specialises in defence litigation, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution and professional negligence matters.
He specialises in insurance defence injury litigation in the High and Superior Courts, with expertise in defending employer’s liability, public liability and motor claims. Providing specialist advice and representation, Donal has defended many employment related health and safety claims involving harassment, stress and psychological harm, as well employment equality claims involving race, gender and disability.
Donal has extensive experience acting in professional negligence claims, representing solicitors, barristers, accountants, engineers, architects and their insurance companies.
Acting for public sector clients, he provides expert advice and representation on fair processes, employers and public liability, and judicial review. Donal is experienced acting on behalf of clients in Disciplinary Tribunals, in respect of barristers and university students.
Advising a wide range of local, national and international clients across many different business sectors, Donal acts for clients ranging from insurance companies to local authorities and universities.
Our internal Human Resources and Knowledge Management groups are led by Donal.
Recent Work Highlights
- Acted for a client in a professional negligence matter which we ultimately had dismissed in the High Court and again in the Court of Appeal
- Successfully involved in a Supreme Court decision dealing with the issue of delay in the legal process on behalf of a client
- Success in a judicial review application to the High Court on the issue of fairness of an employment disciplinary process
- Involved in a High Court decision relating to a provision in the MIBI Agreement (which deals with uninsured drivers in accident cases) and as to whether such a provision is governed by and was in accordance with EU Law.
- Donal has recently represented a client before the Court of Appeal and dealing with the issue of inordinate and inexcusable delay in progressing legal proceedings and the balance of justice in deciding whether these proceedings should be allowed to continue or be struck out.
Professional Activities
- Donal is current Chair of Limerick Civic Trust, a charity dedicated to the conservation and improvement of our environment and for providing education and research opportunities.
- Former board member of Roxborough National School
- Committee member of Limerick Solicitors Bar Association
- Past President of Limerick Solicitors Bar Association 2011 and 2012
- Donal has represented the firm at meetings of an international lawyers network – a worldwide organisation, which facilitates clients doing business abroad by providing access to recommended lawyers in foreign jurisdictions
- Donal has lectured to the Institute of Bankers and the Insurance Institute of Ireland
- Donal has tutored with the Law Society of Ireland
- Donal provides seminars, CPD and moot court events
- Member of Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL)
- Member of Professional Negligence Lawyers Association (PNLA)
- Member of the Law Society of Ireland.
Education
- University College Cork, BCL
- Law Society of Ireland, Certificate in Applied European Law
- Law Society of Ireland, Certificate in Child Law
- Admitted to the Law Society of Ireland.
Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers.
Donal Creaton
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 202
Robert Kennedy, who focuses on personal injury claims, particularly catastrophic injury cases, and oversees the firm's dedicated anti-fraud unit, heads the team with Harry Fehily and Donal Creaton.
Donal Creaton
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
The team's wide-ranging client base includes educational institutions, regulatory bodies, local authorities, and other state and semi-state bodies. Practice head(s): Harry Fehily, Pat McInerney and Donal Creaton.
Donal Creaton
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
A law firm’s personnel is a most important resource. Holmes excel as market leaders.
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 2023
The firm always provides sound, competent and professional legal advice and representation and does so promptly.
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2023
The firm has excellent knowledge of the public sector, especially public procurement. They are readily available to assist with any clarification or query.
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2023
Awards, Membership and Recognition
