News & Insights

  With the lovely weather we’ve had so far this summer, more of us are choosing to spend our holidays in Northern Ireland. Some may even consider the idea of buying a second property for personal use as a holiday or weekend home, providing an escape to the coast or countryside whenever the mood takes…

O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors is delighted to announce title sponsorship of the eighth annual NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships 2018, organised by Orangegrove Athletics Club. The only running event of its kind in Northern Ireland, the NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships expects to welcome upwards of 900 participants, plus many more supporters and volunteers,…

The Claimant, Sharon Douglas resigned from her position with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in May 2018 alleging sex discrimination and harassment. Mrs Douglas who worked in the Limavady depot as a yard / storeperson was the only female employed in technical services in the Council’s environmental services department. She alleged that she had…

Research suggests that more than half of all adults in Belfast do not have a will.* It is probably one of the most important documents you will ever sign but the topic of Wills is not an easy subject to talk about. Most of us put it off, some unfortunately until it is too late.…

The recently published Statement of Intent has unveiled the Government’s new Settlement Scheme for EU citizens post-Brexit. The UK is due to leave the EU on 29th March 2019. An implementation period is due to run from the leaving date to December 2020. There will therefore be no change to the current rights of EU…

The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland has given out almost £113,000 in grants to 12 charities working hard to improve the mental health of people in Northern Ireland. The Foundation’s ‘Our Community in Mind’ mental health initiative received 177 applications from charities and whittled it down to 12 organisations working in key areas such as…

O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors is recognised throughout Northern Ireland as one of the leading legal advisers to the licensed and hospitality sectors. As genuine experts in this niche area of law, we often have the pleasure of advising on some of the most exciting projects happening in Northern Ireland. June was a particularly busy month for…

The Supreme Court has this week ruled that freelance Plumber, Mr Gary Smith, was a ‘worker’ and is entitled to basic employment rights.   The Facts Between August 2005 and April 2011, Mr Smith exclusively worked as a Plumbing and Heating Engineer for Pimlico Plumbers Ltd in London. Mr Smith suffered a heart attack in…

Have you been affected by the recent recall of patients? Link to article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44455414 It has been reported that approximately 150 tests were not carried out properly at two GP practices in County Antrim.  The initial tests produced negative results but it appears that the Public Health Agency (PHA) has recommended that the cervical…

It was widely reported in the media this week that an investigation into Dunmurry Manor, Nursing Care Home, has revealed a catalogue of concerns in relation to the care and treatment provided to residents. Dunmurry Manor is run by Runwood Homes Group, who were also in the news in 2017 following the closure of Ashbrook…

The following opinion piece from Linus Murray, Director in the Commercial Department of O’Reilly Stewart featured in the Irish News on 22nd May 2018. Cranes are now a regular site across the Belfast skyline again and much has been made of the sharp increase in hotels that have opened up in the city in the…

Not every business is a success and sometimes business owners need to make the difficult decision to cut their losses. As many businesses in the hospitality sector operate via a lease with the owner of the premises from which they trade, they may find that they are tied into the lease for a number of…