Donegal County Council v Quinn & anor (Approved) [2026] IESC 15 (06 March 2026)

A firm of solicitors may apply for the issue of a summons on behalf of an authorised prosecutor under the relevant statutes; costs in the Supreme Court appeal are not awarded against Conor Quinn due to public interest, but costs in the High Court are awarded against him as he unsuccessfully urged an incorrect legal position.

Citation: [2026] IESC 15
Parties: Prosecutor/appellant: Donegal County Council; Accused/respondent: Conor Quinn; Notice Party: The Attorney General
Jurisdiction: Ireland
Judgment Date: 06 March 2026
Procedural Posture: Appeal / Costs Ruling Following Supreme Court Judgment
Outcome: No order as to costs in Supreme Court appeal; costs against Conor Quinn in High Court.
Legal Topics: Issuance of Summons, Costs in Appeals, Authorisation of Prosecutors

Criminal Law Planning Law Procedural Law Issuance of Summons Costs in Appeals Authorisation of Prosecutors

Case Brief

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Parties

Donegal County Council

Prosecutor/appellant

Conor Quinn

Accused/respondent

The Attorney General

Notice Party

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Costs Ruling Following Supreme Court Judgment

Legal Issues

1 Whether a firm of solicitors may apply for the issue of a summons on behalf of an authorised prosecutor
2 Entitlement to costs in appeals involving points of public importance
3 Costs against the Attorney General in joined proceedings

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

No order as to costs in Supreme Court appeal; costs against Conor Quinn in High Court.

Orders

No order as to costs in Supreme Court appeal.
Costs awarded against Conor Quinn in High Court.