MR Garrett Cooney is used to being in the limelight, but usually it is because of his colourful and skilful cross-examinations in court cases.
His clashes with Mr Justice Flood at the planning tribunal have given him an image of a troublesome adversary, which does not comply with opinion in the Law Library where lawyers say fighting with judges is not his usual form, although he is a man of definite views and a strong-minded individual.
Known for his appearances in libel and defamation cases, of which he is the doyen, he is described by legal sources as the best cross-examiner in the Law Library. Far from adopting bully-boy tactics with witnesses, his approach would be polite, quiet, and as one put it "softly, softly, catchee monkey".
Even so, he would be the first man to stand his ground and is a courageous advocate. He is tough and is regarded as a superb performer in court.
Mr Cooney, now in his 60s, is viewed as an elder statesman of the legal profession and one of the most able advocates of our time. That he is popular among colleagues is without question. He is often used by lawyers who have personal difficulties.
His demeanour around the courts is one of relaxed dignity. His reputation in court cases owes as much to his skills in swaying juries as to his cross-examination. This was most evident in the high-profile Michelle Rocca High Court case in which he represented Mr Cathal Ryan, accused by Ms Rocca of assault.
The small award of £7,500 was attributed to a large extent to Mr Cooney's colourful descriptions and address to the jury. His case was that Mr Ryan was defending Ms Sarah Linton "as any man would do".
But it was the description of the witness, Ms Linton, that was most memorable. "Wasn't she a lady?" he asked. "Wasn't she wholesome?"
Mr Cooney gives a lot of his time to the profession, being involved in many legal and court committees. He is very much the family man, and his wife, Sheila, is a prominent solicitor.
Originally from Longford, he is still involved with the area. Mr Cooney has been associated with some of the more prominent cases throughout his nearly 40 years at the Bar. He appeared for the McColgan family in their negligence case against the North Western Health Board and a Co Sligo doctor. The case was settled.
In the hepatitis case involving Mrs Brigid McCole, Mr Cooney appeared for the National Drugs Advisory Board.
He was called to the Bar in 1960 and made a senior counsel in 1977. He is a brother of the former Fine Gael minister for justice, Mr Patrick Cooney.