The Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act 2015 – Implications for Probate practice, update on Advanced Healthcare Directives and Discharge from Wardship
24th February 2026 – 2.00pm to 5.00pm (Via Webinar)
Deirdre Clarkin – Probate
Maria Dillon – Advanced Healthcare Directives
Laura Mc Enery – Dismissal from Wardship
Chair: Trea McGuinness – Senior Associate BHSM LLP
SPEAKERS
Deirdre Clarkin – Partner at Fagan Kileen specialises in Wills and succession law, the administration of deceased estates and contentious Probate issues. Deirdre is a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and holds the STEP Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning. She is also a member of STEP. Deirdre is a CEDR Accredited Mediator and a member of the Panel of Mediators of the Injuries Resolution Board. Deirdre graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Civil Law in 2003 before completing a Masters (LL.M) in Trinity. She was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2005 and practiced as a barrister until 2018 when she converted to solicitor and joined Killeen Solicitors in 2018.
Maria Dillon is a Solicitor with Horan & Son Solicitors, Woodquay, Galway. She has considerable experience in Wardship, Inherent Jurisdiction, Health & Social Care law, and the law relating to Vulnerable Adults & Children. She is a Chairperson of Mental Health Tribunals, and a Member of the Law Society Mental Health and Capacity Task Force
Laura McEnery qualified in January 2025 and is a Solicitor with Curry & Hickey, Laura specialises in the areas of mental health and capacity law attending both Circuit and High Court regularly in relation to these matters. Prior to joining Curry & Hickey she worked in the area of medical negligence defence, with over five years experience assisting in the defence of medical negligence claims for public sector bodies. Laura has a 2:1 degree from University College Cork and an Advanced diploma in Medical Law from Kings Inns.
Chairperson
Trea McGuinness is a Senior Associate with BHSM. She specialises in the areas of trusts, estate planning, and the administration of estates. She has extensive experience in the implementation and registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney, advising both donors and attorneys, and in Wards of Court applications. Trea is a member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She is a long standing member and former Chair of the Dublin Solicitor’s Bar Association (DSBA) Probate and Taxation Committee and former Committee member of STEP Ireland