A Ballybofey woman has been introduced as Donegal’s newest practising solicitor.
Ms Ceejay Byrne was formally introduced at a sitting of Letterkenny District Court by experienced solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian.
Working with McElhinney & Associates Solicitors in Stranorlar, Ms Byrne is the daughter of Peter and Miranda Byrne from Donegal Road, Ballybofey.
Mr Dorrian told the court that the principal partner of McElhinney & Associates, Ms Jolene McElhinney, had served as an apprentice in his own firm.
“Ms Byrne is a young lady who had a glittering academic career,” Mr Dorrian said, adding that the new solicitor attended St Columba’s College, Stranorlar before going to Queen’s University in Belfast.
He said: “She has been working in McElhinney & Associates since her student days and she commenced her traineeship in 2023.
“I, and my colleagues, wish her the best during the course of her career. To qualify as a solicitor has become progressively more difficult since I and my colleagues drifted through.”
On behalf of An Garda Síochána, Sergeant Jim Collins wished Ms Byrne a “long and happy career”.
You may also be interested in
Judge Emile Daly congratulated Ms Byrne and welcomed her and her family to the court.
“I wish you well and you are in good company,” Judge Daly said.
Ms Byrne thanked those who had commented and said it was her hope for a long career.
She thanked Judge Daly for taking time out of her busy list and expressed gratitude to Ms McElhinney and all the staff at McElhinney & Associates for their guidance and encouragement, as well as that of her family, especially her parents, and friends for their support.
“I am looking forward to many years practising in Donegal,” Ms Byrne said.
In 2020, she graduated from Queen’s with an Honours Bachelor of Law in July 2020.
During her time at university, Ms Byrne travelled to Cape Town, South Africa with Projects Abroad and participated in their Law and Human Rights Placement.
During this time, she also worked on her own legal cases and organised free legal clinics, in addition to working on social justice projects and attending juvenile detention centres.
She has worked as a legal secretary at McElhinney & Associates Solicitors while completing her Law Society FE1 exams.