Adjournment after barrister takes ill

Yesterday's sitting of the Mahon tribunal was adjourned prematurely after one of the barristers fell ill.

Mr Paul Sreenan SC, who represents developer Mr Owen O'Callaghan, collapsed in his chair shortly before 11 a.m. At the time, Mr Liam Lawlor was cross-examining Mr O'Callaghan.

Judge Alan Mahon called a break as Mr Sreenan's colleagues came to the assistance of the barrister, who appeared pale and in some discomfort. Journalists, lawyers and the public were asked to leave the hall at Dublin Castle.

Tribunal officials called an ambulance, which arrived within minutes.

After receiving treatment from paramedical staff, Mr Sreenan was removed on a stretcher to St James's Hospital, where he was still undergoing tests yesterday evening.

Mr Sreenan, who is in his 40s, is a highly successful senior counsel with a busy and varied practice. He was due to cross-examine Mr O'Callaghan later yesterday, after Mr Lawlor.

He also represented the developer in the High Court, where in a judgment this week Mr O'Callaghan won the right to access crucial tribunal documents.