A Night at the Inns and Other Stories

by Henry Murphy

Dermot McNamara, barrister, who last appeared in Brief Cases, continues his journey through life inside and outside the courts of Ireland. Now somewhat established as a junior counsel, the pigeonhole is rarely empty but Dermot must try to ensure the continuity of the thin stream of briefs coming his way, while, at the same time, dealing with the many demands of his solicitors, the eccentricities of judges, the responsibilities of family life and the success of his wife’s own legal career.Such pleasures as those partaken of in A Night at the Inns really do not help his chances, but there may be some hope of redemption if he succeeds for his illustrious Fitzwilliam Square solicitor, Mr Philips, while they are both 'Down from Dublin'. Back at base in The Four Courts, Dermot tackles a case that arises from the unfortunate results of a long St Patrick’s Day in the Pink Palace bar. Were the adventures of ecumenical affairs correspondent Barbara Sorenson on the Costa del Sol as compromising as a daily newspaper alleges? Dermot must prove to the contrary, against all odds and the mysterious disappearance of senior counsel at the crucial moment.Where the living of life interacts with the dispensing of justice, Dermot McNamara plies his trade. As he continues to strive for success, he describes with humour the lapses in communication, misunderstandings and occasional bombshells that hinder his professional career, and can turn a serious day in court into something verging on the farcical.

211 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008