Department profile
Dispute Resolution
Global Guide 2026 : Ireland
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP
Long established as Ireland’s leading disputes practice, McCann FitzGerald LLP specialises in resolving large, complex and high-value disputes. We act for a broad range of clients, particularly in the corporate and financial sectors, and are often the first call for organisations facing contentious issues or significant litigation risk.
We advise on all aspects of commercial dispute resolution, including financial services, administrative law, corporate and contractual disputes, planning and property matters, professional negligence, fraud, privacy and defamation, patent disputes and product liability. Our lawyers combine legal, commercial and reputational insight to develop strategies aligned with our clients’ business objectives. With extensive legal and technological resources, we regularly fast-track complex cases through Ireland’s Commercial Court.
We frequently handle banking and financial services disputes, real estate and construction cases, competition and regulatory matters, corporate and employment disputes, insurance and professional indemnity claims, intellectual property litigation and product liability actions.
Highlights include defending DePuy in multiple product liability claims; acting for Harcourt Life in €1.4bn Commercial Court litigation; representing IBRC in multi-jurisdictional proceedings concerning €2.8bn in loans to the Quinn Group; and acting for Vodafone Ireland in significant Commercial Court and regulatory challenges.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
McCann FitzGerald acted for Workhuman on a a cross-border shareholder dispute.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
McCanns excels in litigation involving very complex legal issues.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalThe lawyers in McCanns are knowledgeable, innovative and savvy, and consistently deliver results that exceed expectations.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalMcCann Fitzgerald stands out for its responsiveness, strategic thinking and consistent ability to navigate complex disputes with clarity and efficiency.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalThe team drills into the most complex sets of facts and legal issues and will formulate and execute effective strategies on even the most complex cases.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalMcCann FitzGerald has an excellent ability to handle any complex matter.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople Roddy Bourke
Roddy Bourke has cultivated a great reputation in product liability cases. His experience extends to complex class action suits. Band 1 
Band 1 Helen Kilroy
Helen Kilroy is highlighted for her focus on alternative dispute resolution methods, being particularly noted for her specific understanding of professional negligence cases. Helen's counsel is often decisive in reaching acceptable and definitive conclusions in mediation processes.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalHelen has a very strong profile and is the preeminent commercial mediator in the market.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalHelen Kilroy is an excellent litigator.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalShe is a brilliant mediator; the best in the market.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalShe offers great experience and solid advice based on the law and common sense.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 Rosaleen Byrne
Rosaleen Byrne stands out for her experience advising Irish regulators on enforcement actions and on the defence of any subsequent appeals. She also advises on commercial litigation, including competition damages claims. Rosaleen Byrne is very pragmatic and endeavours to achieve the best outcomes for clients in the most efficient way.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalThere are very few like Rosaleen. She has an unparalleled level of experience advising and representing the regulated and the regulators as well as dealing with high-value, complex and novel disputes.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 Catherine Derrig
Catherine Derrig has a broad offering handling damages claims and shareholders' disputes. She is also well placed to assist with disputes related to regulated sectors such as telecoms and banking.
Catherine Derrig brings pragmatism, intelligence and a sense of calm to even the most complicated of cases.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 Michael Coonan
Michael Coonan acts on substantial cross-border disputes, with particular experience in sanctions-related cases.
Michael is incredibly diligent and knowledgeable. His voracious work ethic and insight helps carve a clean path through incredibly dense issues. He is a great colleague to have on your team, and he is always positive and solution-focused.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobalIt is so impressive how he translates the details to help us make strategic decisions.
Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
Ranked Individuals at McCann FitzGerald LLP (5)
Ireland
Roddy Bourke
Dispute Resolution
View profile Helen Kilroy
Dispute Resolution
View profile Rosaleen Byrne
Dispute Resolution
View profile Catherine Derrig
Dispute Resolution
View profile Michael Coonan
Dispute Resolution
View profile
Members
Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP
Roddy Bourke
View profile of Roddy BourkeRosaleen Byrne
View profile of Rosaleen ByrneHelen Kilroy
View profile of Helen KilroyCatherine Derrig
View profile of Catherine DerrigMichael Coonan
View profile of Michael Coonan
McCann FitzGerald LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 Europe 2026
Practice area: Dispute Resolution
Location: Ireland
View department profile for Europe 2026
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.