Guardian ad litem National Service – is this a change for the better?

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Donal T Ryan Solicitors LLP at the forefront of Child Care Law in Ireland.

On the 23 June 2026, the new Guardian Ad Litem National Service was formally launched with the coming into force of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022.

The Act primarily provides for a system of regulation and appointment of Guardians ad Litem (GALs) and establishes that the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration for courts. It also sets out that children’s views in proceedings should be heard.

A Guardian ad Litem enhances the decision-making capacity of the court by advising on a child’s best interests and conveying the views of the child to the court. The new National Service replaces the previous independent GAL model with a new structure which has sanction to recruit a team of 65 full-time Guardians ad Litem, who will be available for appointment as directed by the courts.

GALs were previously entitled automatically to legal advice and representation in court however under the 2022 Act the Minister has discretion to agree to legal representation in certain circumstances. The new National Service has created a panel of expert child care solicitors to assist with legal representation where required. Lorcan Dunphy of Donal T Ryan Solicitors was successful in being appointed to this panel due to his years of expertise in Child Care Law.

The new Act is not without its critics however and on the same day the National Service was formally launched, it faced a legal challenge in the High Court.

The most fundamental objection concerns the independence of Guardians ad Litem. The Association of Guardians ad Litem of Ireland (AGALI) has warned that both Tusla and the new GAL service will now be responsible to the same minister.

The issue of legal representation is a concern also where Social Workers and parents may be represented in proceedings but the Guardian Ad Litem representing the voice of the child may be without legal representation. There is concern with current GALs of a dilution of the voice of the child.

Throughout this process our offices will continue to advise and represent GALs in all courts ensuring that children’s voices are heard, respected and acted upon.

If you want to know any more information about the new National Service or Guardian Ad Litems in general, do not hesitate to contact Lorcan Dunphy in the Donal T. Ryan Solicitors’ Cashel at 062 61288.

rent

Ireland’s New Tenancy Laws: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know From March 2026

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The Irish rental sector underwent one of its most significant legal reforms in decades on 1 March 2026, following the introduction of the new residential tenancy legislation and associated amendments to the Residential Tenancies framework.

The reforms are designed to strengthen tenant protections, reform rent controls, and alter the circumstances in which landlords may terminate tenancies. While the legislation aims to create greater security and stability within the private rental market, it also introduces a more complex compliance environment for landlords, investors, managing agents, and tenants alike.
Importantly, the new rules generally apply only to new tenancies created on or after 1 March 2026. Existing tenancies remain subject to the previous regime unless otherwise stated.

1. Introduction of “Tenancies of Minimum Duration” (TMDs)
One of the most significant reforms is the replacement of the traditional Part 4 tenancy structure for new tenancies with a new “Tenancy of Minimum Duration” (“TMD”).
Under the new system:
• New tenancies created from 1 March 2026 operate on rolling six-year tenancy cycles.
• Once a tenant has occupied the property continuously for six months without receiving a valid Notice of Termination, they acquire enhanced security of tenure.
• During the protected six-year period, landlords may terminate only on limited statutory grounds.
This represents a substantial shift away from the previous framework, under which landlords had broader termination rights after the expiry of fixed-term leases.

2. Distinction Between “Large” and “Small” Landlords
The legislation now differentiates between:
• “Small landlords” (generally those owning three or fewer tenancies), and
• “Large landlords” (four or more tenancies or certain corporate landlords).
This distinction is critically important because termination rights differ depending on landlord classification.
Small Landlords
Small landlords retain certain termination rights during a TMD, including where:
• the landlord or a family member intends to occupy the property;
• the landlord experiences financial hardship;
• the property is to be substantially refurbished;
• the property is to be sold; or
• the property is no longer suitable to the tenant’s needs.
Large Landlords
Large landlords face significantly more restrictive termination rights. In many cases, they may no longer terminate during the protected period merely because they intend to sell, renovate, or change use of the property.
The reforms are expected to have substantial implications for institutional investors, approved housing bodies, and PRS operators.

3. National Rent Control System Replaces RPZ Model
Another major reform is the replacement of the Rent Pressure Zone (“RPZ”) system with a national rent control framework.
For applicable tenancies:
• annual rent increases are capped at the lower of:
o 2% per annum; or
o the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”).
This effectively extends rent regulation nationwide rather than limiting it to designated RPZ areas.
The legislation also imposes stricter procedural obligations on landlords when reviewing rent, including:
• mandatory RTB notifications;
• provision of supporting calculations;
• evidence of comparable market rents from the RTB Rent Register.
Failure to comply may invalidate a rent review notice.

4. Resetting Rent to Market Levels
A controversial aspect of the reforms is the new ability to “reset” rent to market value in certain circumstances.
For new tenancies created after 1 March 2026:
• landlords may reset rent to current market levels at the commencement of a new tenancy where:
o the previous tenant left voluntarily;
o the previous tenancy ended because of tenant breach; or
o the property no longer suited the tenant’s needs.
Thereafter:
• rent may generally only be reset again at the end of each six-year cycle.
This mechanism seeks to balance stronger tenant protections with maintaining investment incentives within the rental market.
Critics have argued that the reforms may lead to sharp rent increases between tenancies, particularly in high-demand urban areas.

5. Enhanced Procedural Requirements for Landlords
The reforms place additional compliance obligations on landlords and agents.
Key procedural changes include:
• mandatory service of notices on both tenants and the RTB simultaneously;
• stricter documentary requirements for Notices of Termination;
• greater evidential requirements for rent reviews;
• increased tenant rights to challenge unlawful rent setting.
The RTB also receives enhanced oversight and enforcement powers under the new regime.
Landlords who fail to comply with statutory formalities risk:
• invalid notices;
• RTB sanctions;
• compensation orders;
• administrative penalties.

6. Existing Tenancies Remain Under Previous Rules
A critical point often misunderstood by landlords and tenants is that the March 2026 reforms generally do not apply retrospectively.
Tenancies already in existence before 1 March 2026 remain governed by the previous Residential Tenancies regime and existing Part 4 protections.
However, if an existing tenancy ends and a new tenancy is created after 1 March 2026, the new tenancy may fall within the revised framework.#

7. Practical Implications
For Landlords
Landlords should urgently review:
• tenancy documentation;
• notice procedures;
• rent review practices;
• RTB registration compliance;
• portfolio structuring.
The distinction between “small” and “large” landlord status may materially affect future exit strategies and asset management decisions.
For Tenants
Tenants benefit from:
• stronger security of tenure;
• enhanced protection from no-fault terminations;
• greater transparency in rent setting;
• stronger dispute resolution rights.
However, concerns remain regarding affordability and the potential for increased rents at the commencement of new tenancies.
Conclusion
The March 2026 tenancy reforms represent a fundamental restructuring of Irish residential tenancy law. The legislation significantly strengthens tenant protections while simultaneously attempting to maintain investment within the private rental sector.
Given the complexity of the new framework, both landlords and tenants should seek legal advice where disputes arise regarding:
• tenancy termination;
• rent reviews;
• RTB compliance;
• landlord classification; or
• security of tenure rights.

As the legislation is interpreted by the RTB and the courts over the coming years, further legal developments and clarifications are expected.
If you would like advice on letting your property please contact us here at Donal T. Ryan, at either our Cashel or Cahir offices at 062 61288 or 052 7441244

Ireland’s New Child Maintenance Guidance: Key Information for Parents

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Ireland’s New Child Maintenance Guidance: Key Information for Parents

Ireland’s family law landscape has evolved significantly since the introduction of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976. Subsequent legislation—including the Judicial Separation and Law Reform Act 1989, the Family Law Act 1995, and the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996—expanded the availability of maintenance orders within separation and divorce proceedings.

In January 2026, the Department of Justice published Ireland’s first Child Maintenance Guidelines, https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/a123a477/Child_Maintenance_Guidelines_for_Ireland.pdf establishing a clearer and more consistent framework for determining child maintenance obligations. These guidelines were informed by the 2024 Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders and a national consultation in 2025, both of which identified the need for greater predictability and transparency.

Purpose and Impact of the Guidelines
Historically, the absence of formal rules led to inconsistent outcomes for families. The new guidance reinforces long standing legal principles: maintenance should reflect the child’s needs and each parent’s financial capacity. According to the Minister for Justice, this framework represents an important step toward improving fairness, consistency, and transparency in family law.
A government developed online child maintenance calculator will further support parents in reaching private agreements and reducing the need for court intervention.
Core Principles

The guidelines are founded on the following principles:
• Shared financial responsibility: Both parents contribute based on their means.
• Income shares model: Payments are calculated using the combined parental income.
• Parenting time recognition: Time spent caring for the child is treated as a financial contribution.
• Continuity for the child: Efforts should be made to preserve the child’s standard of living.
• Protection of essential needs: Each parent must retain sufficient income to meet basic living costs.

While these principles formalise existing professional practice, they cannot eliminate the financial reality that two households are more costly to maintain than one, often without any increase in income.

Distinction Between Child and Spousal Maintenance
The guidelines apply exclusively to child maintenance. Although spousal maintenance remains available through the courts, judicial attitudes have shifted: where a spouse can reasonably earn an income, spousal maintenance is now rarely awarded.

Digital Tools and Broader Family Justice Reform
The forthcoming digital calculator is intended to make the guidelines easier to use and encourage agreement outside court proceedings, reducing both financial and emotional strain for families.

The guidelines form part of a wider reform programme, including the phased establishment of specialist Family Courts from January 2027. A pilot initiative in Clonmel and Waterford seeks to further strengthen how children’s views are represented in family cases. In recent decades, the “voice of the child” has increasingly been heard through professional reports rather than direct meetings with judges.

What Parents Can Expect

The new framework offers:
• A clearer basis for calculating child maintenance
• Greater scope for resolving issues without court involvement [
• Increased transparency and predictability in outcomes
• Practical tools to simplify the process and support fair arrangements
• Although the guidelines are voluntary, courts may refer to them in resolving disputes, and they are likely to become a central feature of family law practice going forward.

If you have queries in relation to maintenance in the context of Divorce, or legal Separation, contact our Family Law Partner Máire McMahon in our Cahir office at 052 7441244

black friday

Black Friday, Cyber Monday & Christmas Shopping: How to Stay Smart in Ireland’s Busiest Buying Season in 2025

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Black Friday, Cyber Monday and of course Christmas are the busiest times of year for shopping in Ireland . Whether you’re upgrading your smart TV, picking up a new IPAD for the kids, or stocking up on gifts before the holiday scramble, staying informed is the best way to avoid overspending and disappointment.
Below are key points to help you shop safely, sensibly and with confidence throughout the full end-of-year sales season.
________________________________________
Do Your Research
Before the discounts start, check the standard price of anything you plan to buy. During this time of year, many retailers advertise dramatic-looking reductions that are less impressive once you look at the item’s normal price.
Use reliable price-tracking tools or compare prices across Irish and EU-based retailers to confirm whether a deal is genuinely good value. This applies equally across Black Friday, Cyber Monday and pre-Christmas promotions, where “was/now” labels can vary widely.
Sale prices must be based on the lowest price a product was on sale for in the previous 30 days, however, beware of retailers that artificially inflate prices 30 days in advance of a “sale” and then reducing the price again so that they appear to be giving a discount.
If you believe a business has broken consumer rights by misleading you about a sale price you can report them to the CCPC.
________________________________________
Set a Budget and Stick to It
With three major sales periods landing back-to-back, it’s very easy to spend more than you intended. Flash sales, timers , “High Demand”, “limited availability” “today only” alerts are designed to make you buy quickly as you become consumed by a Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO).
Setting a budget before you start shopping and look for something you specifically need or want can help you avoid impulse purchases.
There are many Buy Now Pay Later option now with the likes of Klarna and Revolut which are a great way of spreading out the cost but may also make it very tempting to buy products that appear to be on sale for a great price but that you really don’t need and possible cannot really afford.
________________________________________
Read Reviews Carefully
Online Influencers remain a major force in online marketing, and many are paid or incentivised to promote certain products. It’s difficult to tell on the websites what is a genuine review or has been written by the an employee of the company so make sure you check reviews for products across multiple independent platforms.
________________________________________
Online Security
Recent analysis by Bank of Ireland’s Fraud team revealed that purchase scam cases rose by 47% in the first half of 2025 when compared to the final six months of 2024. During Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas period, consumers share more personal and financial information online than at any other time of year and fraudsters will be doubling their efforts to target consumers.
You should ensure that that any website you buy from uses “https” encryption and that you look for the padlock symbol in the URL when paying for your goods to ensure the connection is secure.
It’s also worth considering secure payment options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Revolut, which allow you to complete purchases without directly sharing card details with retailers and may provide additional buyer protection. Revolut have disposable card options for online purchases for an extra layer of security.
Avoid accessing sites through social media links, indirect links or pop ups or you may find that that really cool looking glow in the dark fort you ordered for your child never arrives.
Text and Email Scammers – you will likley be bombarded with An Post Next Day Delivery messages and emails from amazon order notifications– be wary of fraudulent messages.
________________________________________
Watch for Hidden Charges
Watch out for Shipping fees, handling charges and customs duties for goods coming from outside the EU or UK which can increase the cost of goods in your check out basket substantiallyl
For bulky electrical goods such as televisions or white goods, delivery fees can be especially significant. Make sure the total price—including all add-ons—is still worth it.
________________________________________

Delivery Times
Around Christmas, delivery estimates tend to stretch due to increased demand and weather-related delays. Retailers may promise pre-Christmas delivery, but always read the fine print and consider ordering early to avoid disappointment—especially for gifts or essential seasonal items.
________________________________________

Cooling-Off Period
If you change your mind about a purchase made online from a business based in the EU, you are entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period. This applies throughout the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas season.
You may need to pay the cost of returning the item unless it is faulty. Refunds must be issued within 14 days of cancellation or once the returned item has been received. This protection can be extremely useful if seasonal shopping leads to buyer’s remorse.
________________________________________
Final Thoughts
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas all offer fantastic opportunities for savings, but they also come with pressure, hype and risk. With a bit of preparation—pricing knowledge, security awareness and a realistic budget—you can enjoy the best of the bargains and avoid the regrets that often follow the festive shopping frenzy.

As always, Buy Local

Shopping on-line can be fun but don’t forget to shop local and support local businesses. Your custom can make all the difference locally to retailers in a highly competitive market.
Remember if you don’t shop in your local town, you will not have a local town to shop in.

Proper Provision | Family Law Case

Inheritance Rights of Cohabitating Couples

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INHERITANCE RIGHTS OF CO-HABITING COUPLES
If you are at least 18 years old and of sound mind, you can make a Will. If you later
get married or if you enter a civil partnership, that Will is automatically revoked unless
the Will was made with that marriage or civil partnership in mind. However, if you
co-habit with a partner (that is, move in to live with a partner) that arrangement has no
effect on your pre-existing Will.

Cohabitants and Inheritance Tax:
Even if a cohabiting partner provides for their partner in their Will, the partner will be
treated as a stranger for capital acquisition tax ( inheritance tax) purposes in relation
to their inheritance. Currently cohabiting partners pay tax at 33% tax on any
inheritance over €20,000

In the case of a cohabiting couple where the surviving partner inherits the home, the
surviving partner may be liable for inheritance tax, unless the surviving partner
qualifies for a dwellinghouse tax exemption.

If your cohabiting partner has not made a will or has not provided for you:
A financially dependent cohabitant may be able to apply to the court for provision to
be made for them from the estate of a deceased partner if the relationship ends as a
result of death or otherwise. This is known as the redress scheme for cohabiting
couples. If you get redress from a court under this scheme, you may be exempt from
paying capital acquisition tax.

In order to apply for redress, you must be a “qualified  cohabitant”, that is you must have been:
• Living with the person for at least five years in an intimate and committed
relationship; or
• Living with the person for two years in an intimate and committed relationship
if you have had a dependent child with your partner.

If you do qualify to apply under the redress scheme you still may not be entitled to any
provision or share of your partner’s estate if they die. Much will depend on the
financial relationship between partners, each partner’s financial circumstances and
whether a partner was still married or had children and the size of the estate.

Making a Will:
Making a will can ensure that proper arrangements are made for partners and the
dependents and that your property is distributed according to your wishes, subject to
certain rights of spouses/civil partners and children. Tax advice can help reduce or
minimise the amount of tax your beneficiary must pay.

Donal T Ryan solicitors will help you to prepare a Will that reflects your wishes,

Contact any of our solicitors at 052 744 1244 for our Cahir Office and 062 61288 for our Cashel Office.

dmr

Decision Making Representation under Assisted Decision Making Act

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In Ireland, a Decision-Making Representative is a person appointed by the court under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to make certain decisions on behalf of an adult who has been found to lack capacity to make those decisions themselves — even with support.
Here’s the key breakdown:
• Purpose:
They act as a last-resort decision-maker when other, less formal supports (like a decision-making assistant or co-decision-maker) are not enough. It is also required where the relevant person have not made an enduring power of attorney.
• Appointment:
An application must be made to the Circuit Court. This is usually done by a family member, or where there is no family member, by the HSE. It is necessary for the next of kin, and immediate family members to be informed of the application, and often the consent of all parties will be required. Depending on the relationship between the family member and the relevant person, a preliminary application to the court for permission to bring the application may also be required.
The paperwork needs to be served on the relevant person, and they must also be advised of the application. This may result in an application being made to the Legal Aid Board for legal representation for the relevant person.
• The Circuit Court appoints the representative after assessing the person’s capacity and deciding that a Decision-Making Representation Order is necessary.
• Scope of decisions:
The order specifies exactly which decisions the representative can make — for example, about medical treatment, property, finances, housing, or personal welfare. They cannot make decisions outside of what the court authorises.
The Court will set a date when the orders must be reviewed.
• Duties:
They DMR must:
o Follow the guiding principles of the 2015 Act (like respecting the person’s will, preferences, and rights as much as possible).
o Keep records of decisions and actions.
o Report to the Decision Support Service (DSS) on a regular basis.
• Safeguards:
The arrangement is regularly reviewed, and the court can change or end it if the person’s circumstances or capacity change.
It’s essentially Ireland’s most formal legal arrangement for substituted decision-making, intended to be used only when all other support options won’t work.

If you would like further information on a decision-making representative or find yourself with a family member who may need to apply for such an order, do not hesitate to contact any Donal T. Ryan Solicitors LLP Cashel and Cahir. Máire McMahon and Gavin McCarthy Partners in the Cahir office have extensive experience of such applications and with their legal assistant Rose Wallace will guide you through the process.

Contact us at Cahir 052 7441244 or Cashel 062 61288 or www.dtryan.ie

Property and Conveyancing

Remortgaging – Your Solicitor’s Role

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Remortgaging is when you take out a new mortgage on a property that already has a mortgage registered against the title.

Why Remortgage?

Depending on your personal situation, remortgaging might be considered a strategic financial move. Employment changes, relationship changes, family expansion or retirement may call for a restructuring of your mortgage to improve your financial circumstances and to reduce financial strain or perhaps you simply wish to upgrade your home.
Homeowners often remortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates, potentially saving thousands of euros over the term of the loan or when a fixed-rate mortgage term ends, homeowners may switch to a better deal rather than revert to a higher variable rate. Monthly payments could be reduced by extending the term of your mortgage or opt to pay off the loan quicker by shortening the term; or you may find it beneficial to consolidate your debt by combining high-interest debts into a single mortgage payment that can simplify finances and reduce overall monthly costs.

The Role of the Solicitor
A remortgage solicitor plays an essential role in the remortgaging process, protecting your interests and ironing out any legal complexities.
• Title Deed Verification: Solicitors will take up the title deeds from your current Lender to check that the title deeds are in order, that there are no title defects or any planning issues, and ensuring there are no legal issues that could delay or complicate the remortgage process. They will request the mortgage redemption figure from your current Lender.
• Document Preparation and Review: They solicitor will review the terms of the new Loan Offer and all necessary legal documents and advise the client of the mortgage terms and conditions, potential risks, and the impact of any penalties or fees, ensuring terms are clear and that the client is fully aware of the contents of the loan offer and ensuring you fully understand the financial commitment.
• Conducting Property Searches: A solicitor conducts searches on the property to identify any potential encumbrances, liens, or charges that could affect your mortgage eligibility.
• The solicitor will redeem the current mortgage, have the current charge removed from the Land Registry/Registry of Deeds, and then register the new mortgage with the Land Registry or Registry of Deeds.

Timelines
The remortgaging process could take between 4 to 6 weeks depending on any title issues that arise or the response times of the Lenders.

Fees
There are various fees involved in the process, including valuation fees, solicitor’s fees and lender fees.

Conclusion
Remortgaging your home can be advantageous , from lowering interest rates, reducing monthly payments or releasing funds to enable you to carry out home improvements. With the assistance of an experienced remortgage solicitor you can ensure that your financial and legal interests are protected.

We at Donal T. Ryan Solicitors LLP can offer the expert advice and support required to assist in navigating the complexities associated with boundary issues. Please feel free to contact us at our Cashel office 062 61288 or our Cahir office 052 7441244 if you require advice in relation to this matter.

FAMILY COURTS BILL 2022 – IS REFORM ON THE RIGHT ROAD?

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Family Courts Bill 2022 was referred to in the Government and Justice Plan 2022 and forms part of the Family Justice Strategy 2022 -2025

The aim of the Family Court’s Bill 2022 (the Bill) is to provide for a more efficient and user-friendly family court system for a variety of family law proceedings. The Bill has is currently progressing through its second stage in Seanad Éireann,
As Minister for Justice Helen McEntee stated that the Bill “forms an intrinsic part of the reform of the family justice system and will provide many of the building blocks essential to these reforms”. A key part of the strategy is the construction of a purpose-built Family Law Court complex at Hammond Lane in Dublin which will replace the existing District Court in Essex Street, and the Circuit Court in Phoenix House. The Minster indicated that this was be completed by 2026, however at the time of writing in mid 2023, work is yet to commence on the building.

The main changes as detailed in the Bill include:
• Introducing a specific division in the Courts, namely, Family High Court, a Family Circuit Court and a Family District Court, each dealing with family law matters as appropriate to its jurisdiction.
• That greater proportion of non-contentious family law matters to be dealt with at District Court level, thus minimising the costs for litigants. The District Court will be able to deal with judicial separation and divorces where the assets of the marriage do not exceed one million euro.
• Judges will be assigned on a full-time basis to the Family Court divisions and serve a minimum of three years in the division. These will be judges who, by reason of their training or experience, are suitable to deal with matters of family law. Ongoing professional training in family law will be required.
• It is proposed that new positions of Principal Judge of the Family High Court, Family Circuit Court and Judge of the Family District Court will be created to ensure proper and effective management of these Courts.
• A dedicated Family Law Rules Committee ( or and Family Law Sub-Committees of the general Courts Rules Committees) will be established. This it to ensure that the family law rules of court are coherent and applied with consistency across all levels of the family courts.
• Proceedings will be held in a different building or room from which other court sittings are held or on different days or at different times from other court sittings. This is a improvement where at present, usually in the District Court, family law cases could be heard on the same day as debt collection or criminal matters.

Under the Bill, the Courts and practitioners in family law proceedings will be required to have regard to certain key principles including:
• The best interests of every child involved or likely to be affected by the outcome of family law proceedings shall be a primary consideration in the conduct of the proceedings.
• The child’s views should be ascertained, where practicable, and given due weight, having regard to the child’s age and maturity.
• The promotion and engagement by the court in active case management practices.
• The court should encourage and facilitate, as far as possible, alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation – except in cases where this would not be appropriate, such as domestic violence cases.

The publication of the Bill marks an important milestone in efforts to reform the Irish Family Courts system however the extension of the jurisdiction of the District Court to include judicial separation and divorce will only add additional pressure to an already overwhelmed court. In additional to the Courts, investment will be needed in the Court services; more registrars, more facilities in court buildings, better funding for legal aid and additional supports such as mediation.

If you have any questions on family law, contact our Family Law Partner Máire McMahon (mmcmahon@dtryan.ie) or in our Cahir office at 052 7441244

Property and Conveyancing

What deposit to I have to pay when buying a house?

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STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO BUYING A HOME

BLOG 1 : DEPOSITS:

1. When purchasing a property through an auctioneer, you will be required to pay a booking deposit. Often times this will be in the region of €5,000-€10,000 and will be requested by the auctioneer at the very beginning to show your seriousness and intention to purchase the property. It is a figure that is held by the auctioneers once the property has formally sold. The auctioneer fees are taken from this figure and the balance remaining will then be released to the Vendors.

2. A deposit is then required the day you sign the contracts to purchase the property. Generally speaking, a deposit will be between 8- 12% of the purchase price of the property in question. For example, if a property is on the market for €300,000.00 and the deposit is 10%, the deposit required the day of signing will be €30,000 and this will need to be transferred on the day.

3. There is often confusion that the booking deposit is additional to the deposit required on signing but in fact it can be subtracted from the deposit you will pay on the day you sign the contracts. For example, if you have given €5,000 booking deposit to the auctioneer and €30,000 is required as a deposit to the seller on the signing of contracts, you will only need to give €25,000 the day of signing.

If you are buying a house or thinking of buying a house, contact one of our experienced property solicitors in either our Cahir or Cashel offices and we will be delighted to assist you.

Online Identity Theft

GDPR, Data Protection& Data Breach – Have you been affected?

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Data protection is the safeguarding of the rights of all individuals to privacy in relation to the processing of their personal data. The processing of data is regulated by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
If an organisation has breached your personal data in any way then you may be entitled to compensation for this data breach.
Organisations that hold your data are under strict obligations to ensure that your data is not compromised in any way.

A data protection breach occurs where a person or organisation, entrusted with your personal data, negligently or intentionally, loses, publishes or mishandles your data leading to your personal information being compromised. Examples include, sending an email/letter to the wrong recipient, disclosing your personal data or leaving personal information in a public place aswell as a cyber hack of your personal information on the organisations system.

Any person who is the victim of a data protection breach can make a claim for compensation. If you think that your personal information has been exposed following a data breach or that data about you has been stored incorrectly, it is important that you contact your solicitor as soon as possible for specialist legal advice. An experienced Data Protection solicitor can advise you on your legal rights and options and advance any appropriate claim for compensation.

The impact of a data breach depends on the circumstances of the breach. In many cases it causes anxiety, worry, stress, fear and worse. If you feel that your data has been breached and you have suffered as a result, then we can help you.

Donal T Ryan Solicitors will discuss your data breach claim with you. We will correspond with the organisation that has compromised your data to clarify details of your personal data breach. They must send us the requested information within one month of our request. We will then review the information and advance any appropriate civil case, with your instructions, against the organisation that has breached your data. If the data breach is particularly sensitive and depending on the circumstances, you should be entitled to a greater amount of compensation.

Contact Lorcan Dunphy, Head of Litigation, at Donal T Ryan Solicitors for our specialist expert legal advice at 062 – 61288 or law@dtryan.ie