Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Lawyers pen short stories to raise money for Ireland's homeless

They were gathered by writer Danielle McLaughlin, a former solicitor.

A GROUP OF legal eagles have come together to pen short stories in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust.

Their stories were gathered under the expert eye of Cork-based writer Danielle McLaughlin, and collected in Counterparts, published by the Stinging Fly. The book was inspired by her own legal past.

“I practiced as a solicitor for years before I moved to writing,” explains McLaughlin. “It was not a planned move – I became ill quite suddenly ended up stopping working as solicitor and started writing.”

She didn’t return to legal practice, but kept meeting other lawyers who were also writing. McLaughlin says that law and writing have more in common than you’d think.

“I had always loved the law reports anyway – we used have to study them as law students and they’re used all the time in legal practice,” she says. “I always found they were like reading stories, almost like a collection of stories, and they had the most astonishing details in them. They were just gripping. It didn’t feel like study or work at all reading them.”

When she is teaching writing, she always tells students to bring the specifics into it – that life is not about generality. That is borne out in the law reports: “They had the most amazing stories and the detail of them is fantastic. I think as writers we’re always looking for those specific details that will bring our characters and our stories to life and in law we have the evidence, and the facts of the evidence, and everything is centred around the specifics of people’s lives.”

Specifics are at the heart of a gripping story and law reports just have specifics in abundance because it’s just part of the system. The system is built around the specifics and questioning things, and an interrogation of fact, not presuming things, asking questions and looking at whether a word has more than one meaning – context, nuance, and tone.

“There are a lot of similarities I would say between old job as lawyer and my new job as a writer.”

Counterparts

Counterparts front hi-res

She had the idea a couple of years ago to put together a book like Counterparts in order to raise money for the Peter McVerry Trust and earlier this year joined forces with Irish publisher the Stinging Fly.

“Declan Meade form the Stinging Fly Press was very supportive of the idea from the beginning,” says McLaughlin. 

Each essay is paired with a legal report. “I decided to leave it wide open to people what case they would choose and as to how closely they wanted to work with the case,” explains McLaughlin.

Does she think the book will challenge people’s presumptions about people in the legal profession? “Sometimes I’m not sure how people perceive lawyers,” says McLaughlin.

“They may not know that there are so many lawyers writing fiction and writing poetry and drama and personal essays. On the other hand there are so many TV programmes where law features or that are built around courtrooms, that in a way I think people are interested in the cases anyway.”

I do think maybe that people will hopefully see from the range of the cases discussed that law is interesting in lots of different ways. And not just in maybe the big murder trial that we see on the news.

McLaughlin has a particular interesting in housing law, and is concerned about the homelessness issue in Ireland.

“It is such a huge problem and like the vast majority of people I want to see this fixed. I was very impressed with the work that Peter McVerry Trust has been doing for such a long time, for 32 years now. I also had a background myself in housing law. I worked previously in local government and worked as a solicitor in the public and private and voluntary sector.

“So I was interested anyway in the housing issues, so for me it’s a way of those two separate tracks of my life weaving back together again: the law and the writing coming back together.”

“Nobody involved in making the book is taking money from it. 100% of the profits is going to the Peter McVerry Trust,” says McLaughlin. To facilitate this, printing was sponsored by 10 legal firms. 

What this means is that it’s a very effective way for someone who wants to give money to Peter McVerry Trust they can know 100% of the profits going to the charity – and they get a really beautiful book as well.

Writing advice

What advice would she give would-be writers? 

“Read, read, read first of all. I know that sounds very obvious, but I would say that even though I am relatively new to writing I would have been reading fiction all my life and I loved books.

“I would also say join a writing group because I found when joined a writing group it was the turning point for me in my writing starting to make progress.”

Counterparts is available in paperback (€20), in hardback (€40) and a clothbound special limited edition (€195).  It can be bought directly from www.stingingfly.org and bookshops nationwide

Close
19 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Hoare
    Favourite Keith Hoare
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:21 PM

    FF really have lost it.

    114
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alan
    Favourite alan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:15 PM

    proving once again why FF have found their natural home in opposition

    102
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard O'Callaghan
    Favourite Richard O'Callaghan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:21 PM

    Was Fleming drunk in charge of a TD’s brain?

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:44 PM

    Fleming doesn’t have a brain.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Grennan
    Favourite Billy Grennan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:59 PM

    He doesn’t have much of a brain and less ethics but FF have to clutch to any straw now

    48
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:02 PM

    One can see that the Fleming Calf learnt well from the Fleming Bull. Sure he had no chance I suppose.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard O'Callaghan
    Favourite Richard O'Callaghan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:26 PM

    From Wikipedia

    “Seán Fleming (born 1 February 1958) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Laois–Offaly constituency.

    An accountant, educated at University College Dublin, Fleming was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election and retained his seat at the 2002 and 2007 general elections. He was formerly Financial Director of Fianna Fáil at national level.”

    Would he have been a Financial Director of Fianna Fail at the same time that Mr Gallagher was a celebrity fundraiser for Fianna Fail?

    By Fleming’s logic he probably should not have been asking the questions!!!

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:54 PM

    So Sean F. was a financial director of FF. God I’d say he has seen some quare things in his time in that job. I once worked with a man from New York, that worked as a book keeper in a Hells Angels club, he had some great stories.

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Geraldine O'Connor
    Favourite Geraldine O'Connor
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 7:03 PM

    FF TDs from Offaly with financial background – sounds familiar

    36
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 9:07 PM

    He’s from Laois Geraldine, and Cowen (to whom i assume you mean) was a solicitor.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Geraldine O'Connor
    Favourite Geraldine O'Connor
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 9:22 PM

    TD for Laois/Offaly. Minister for fin (unfortunately).

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan McEvoy
    Favourite Alan McEvoy
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:21 PM

    Gallagher would not have won anyway. The tweet is a nice diversion from that fact.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Buckley
    Favourite Michael Buckley
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:37 PM

    Higgins non stop work since the election !

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Manahan
    Favourite John Manahan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:31 PM

    FF clutching at straws, as usual. Is this kind of nonsense what they meant by ‘renewal’ at their conference last weekend ??!!

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John McCormack
    Favourite John McCormack
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:18 PM

    ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute limofax
    Favourite limofax
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:02 PM

    FF sink to a new low.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:14 PM

    Don’t say that, they’ll only accept it as a challenge.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan McBride
    Favourite Alan McBride
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:54 PM

    I dont really understand what all the fuss is over this tweet. If it had been untrue then yes but it wasn’t.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Power
    Favourite Mark Power
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:53 PM

    Are you telling me Rabbitte wouldn’t have done this from the opposition benches I am delighted he was made to feel uncomfortable after his disgraceful attack on Pat Carey

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:59 PM

    How was the attack on Pat Carey disgraceful. Most people felt that is he had called him a traitor, that it would still have been justifiable. I can guarantee that that was the word going through the minds of most houses in Ireland, as they watched, Carey, Lenihan, Cowen and the rest of the party faithful that weekend.

    For people, not familiar with the context it is the weekend that Biffo and Bozo Lenihan and the rest of FF hand over the keys of the state to the IMF. Naturally Pat Rabbitte was sickened to have to sit beside one of the men who made it so.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2sioK9Fcek

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:12 PM

    I just watched that video once more. Carey couldn’t have cared less that the country was bankrupt and the IMF in charge, he didn’t bat an eye at it. How can people like him, have so little concern for or pride in their country, how can people defend men like him. Desperate excuse for an Irish man, though it sickens me to state that he is an Irishman.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute GR
    Favourite GR
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 7:05 PM

    TWAS THE ENVELOPE THAT DID IT

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute conor hickey
    Favourite conor hickey
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:19 PM

    Caught in the headlights on this one.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Daly
    Favourite Brian Daly
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:30 PM

    Does Flemming know what’s going on at all around him? The investigation was by the BAI (and I presume RTE as well). Rabitte had little else to do with it other than read the report like the rest of us. He really needs to read up on this stuff before he addresses the Dail.

    The nature of the event i.e. bad editorial/researching by RTE wouldn’t merit anything more than a BAI investigation which reached the correct outcome. RTE were wrong and are to apologise. They were very wrong. However, Gallaghers response on the night was what probably cost him the election. While the text was unfair, he dug his own hole.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Neville
    Favourite Mark Neville
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 7:01 PM

    Ah yes. FF trying their best to help out the “independent, FF many many moons ago but not now!” candidate. The Old Boys Brigade out in force again.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh O Connell
    Favourite Hugh O Connell
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 5:59 PM

    Who framed Roger Rabbitte !!!!!!!!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Neville
    Favourite Mark Neville
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 11:15 PM

    I’m sick to my back teeth of FF whinging about “Ooooh the nasty media arecout to get us”. If Gallagher had been up front about his activities in FF and the extent to which he was linked to the FF party then he wouldn’t have had to try to dodge awkward questions all through the campaign. It was another case of FF cute hoorism in trying to get their man through the back door by portrying him as an independent and when the public realised the extent of his involvement and the shady nature of his typical FF style campaign they gave him the two fingers like they did to the party in the general election. He was about as independent as Wales.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DubInNaas
    Favourite DubInNaas
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 11:52 PM

    Now thats a good comment !!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Power
    Favourite Mark Power
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 7:33 PM

    There was no need to tweet this lie with all the ink they have they could have sent every voter a letter

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Réada Quinn
    Favourite Réada Quinn
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 8:11 PM

    I think your FF brain is a little confused Mark. This is a scrap between Fianna Fail and Labour party. Lol

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dearbhla Carmody
    Favourite Dearbhla Carmody
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:19 PM

    Sean fleming has been studying footage of rabbitte in opposition. :-)

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:24 PM

    I’m not a fan of Rabbitte but lets just say I’d still prefer to live further away from the Flemings, and I’m 35 miles away.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Duggan
    Favourite Robert Duggan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 7:27 PM

    Was the election valid if the major vote swing was based on a lie?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross
    Favourite Ross
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 8:08 PM

    How was it a lie??. Gallagher was up to his neck in FF Fundraising and his business and accounting practices reeked of FF as well.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rommel Burke
    Favourite Rommel Burke
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 9:52 PM

    Was the election result valid due to a major vote swing based on the exposure of a liar?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Power
    Favourite Mark Power
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:36 PM

    I suppose this is coming from his “so called ” red background controlling the media is one of their favourite pastimes ….

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute foggy_lad
    Favourite foggy_lad
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:55 PM

    Better a red than a deadbeat fianna failure of a politician!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Julian King
    Favourite Julian King
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 10:35 PM

    Pat Rabitte is one of the few politicians I actually like.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Flanagan
    Favourite Declan Flanagan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:34 PM

    Pat rabbitte minister for communications RTE deficit 34million do something you dope,Fleming your an idiot just like the rest up there in that hole dail eireann,Ireland is sinking and fast coincidentally enda Kenny seeks 5,000 new jobs on the same day AIB ruin the lives of 2,500 others the whole of Dail eireann should go up and watch the Northern lights tonight

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dearbhla Carmody
    Favourite Dearbhla Carmody
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:23 PM

    Fleming has been studying footage of rabbitte in opposition. Pair of idiots.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DubInNaas
    Favourite DubInNaas
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 9:47 PM

    I think you mean MINISTER Rabbitte…

    Please understand that there are standards in journalism that apply to ‘the journal’ as they do to others

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute XaTylH9A
    Favourite XaTylH9A
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 10:07 PM

    Are you saying his title should precede his name the whole way through?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DubInNaas
    Favourite DubInNaas
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 10:46 PM

    I can’t decide if your response is one of incredulity or enquiry.

    For casual joirnalism, use a first name at the very least, although the title is preferred

    If you look at your report, Minister Rabbitte himself refers to to his colleague as ‘Deputy’

    2
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Cleary
    Favourite John Cleary
    Report
    Mar 9th 2012, 12:18 AM

    I think you’ll find there are standards that apply to constructing a sentence, but that hasn’t stopped you from ignoring them.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DubInNaas
    Favourite DubInNaas
    Report
    Mar 9th 2012, 6:52 AM

    John,
    An obscure comment ?

    Perhaps you could elaborate …

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Power
    Favourite Mark Power
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 10:01 PM

    The whole reason for this so called scrap was a bogus shinner tweet … So yes they are part of this

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Godfrey
    Favourite Tom Godfrey
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 10:39 PM

    Sounds like a story he picked up from the Dail bar and then went out to tell Rabbite to royal him up.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Connolly
    Favourite Paul Connolly
    Report
    Mar 9th 2012, 7:30 AM

    Someone should just put FF out of their misery

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 10:51 PM

    RTE is a socialist entity so I am a bit suspicious about this matter and its implications.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dearbhla Carmody
    Favourite Dearbhla Carmody
    Report
    Mar 8th 2012, 6:26 PM

    Oops posted twice!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gwyn Morgan
    Favourite Gwyn Morgan
    Report
    Mar 9th 2012, 7:22 AM

    I had thought the innuendo was going to be probe related on reading the headline. Very disappointing

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel