Inquiry Team
Ms. O’Flaherty was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1998 and has over twenty-six years experience as a practising barrister. She further qualified as an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) mediator in 2007. Ms. O’Flaherty is a versatile advocate who has practised extensively in the areas of healthcare, personal injuries, medical negligence, administrative, human rights and constitutional law. Throughout her career, she has represented many marginalised and vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities.
In 2017, Ms. O’Flaherty was appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality as a Tribunal member to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). In 2022, she was appointed by the Minister for Health as a Tribunal Chairperson for Mental Health Tribunals. In September 2023, Ms. O’Flaherty was chosen to sit on the panel of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) Judicial Experts. In October 2023 Ms. O’Flaherty became a Director of Action Aid Ireland which is an International charity that works with women and girls living in poverty.
Ms. Ferry was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2008 and to the Bar of England and Wales in 2013. She was a practising member of the Law Library of Ireland for twelve years. Her civil law practice focussed on personal injuries and medical negligence litigation.
In January 2020, Ms. Ferry was appointed as Counsel to a statutory inquiry established by the Minister for Justice and Equality under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). Throughout the inquiry process, she played a pivotal role, engaging meaningfully with relevant stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive examination of the issues as defined within the terms of reference.
Ms. Ferry previously volunteered for the Magdalen Commission, Chaired by Judge John Quirke (retired). With her fellow colleagues from the Bar, Ms. Ferry carried out many meetings with vulnerable women who had identified themselves to the Commission at its preliminary stage. Ms. Ferry travelled to locations countrywide to privately and discreetly, hear from women their experiences and encourage a discussion and assessment of those women’s needs.