Multiple failures led to the death of a 39 year-old mother of four following elective surgery - Oct 2024
Darragh has a broad practice, accepting instructions in all Chambers’ areas of work. He has a focus on Inquests and Public Inquiries, Public Law, Clinical Negligence, and Environmental Law.
Darragh has a wide range of advocacy experience, having been led in the in the Court of Appeal in the case of Bell v Tavistock, appeared in High Court, the County Court, Coroners’ Courts, the First Tier and Upper Tribunals, in a 12-day planning inquiry, and before the chair of the Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing.
Darragh also undertakes a range of advisory and drafting work across his areas of practice.
Darragh holds a first class honours Bachelor of Civil Law and a first class honours Master of laws degree, both from University College Dublin. Before coming to the Bar, he spent four years at the University of Cambridge where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in the area of human rights law. While at Cambridge, Darragh was the executive chairperson of the Cambridge Pro Bono Project, Co-Convener of the Cambridge International and European Law Conference and taught on the Human Rights and Civil Liberties module on the LLM course.
Prior to embarking on his doctoral studies, Darragh served for over six years as an Army Officer in the Irish Defence Forces.
These diverse experiences have helped him to develop a strong knowledge base and pragmatic, diligent and detail-orientated approach to his practice as a barrister.
Darragh is currently one of the Commissioning Editors of the UK Human Rights Blog.
View full profile »Natasha Barnes and Darragh Coffey successfully defend puberty blockers challenge - Jul 2024
Judgment was handed down today in the case of TransActual CIC and another v. the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and another [2024] EWHC 1937 (Admin), in which Natasha and Darragh...
Natasha Barnes and Darragh Coffey appear in puberty blockers judicial review - Jul 2024
Natasha and Darragh appear in the Administrative Court today on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Minister For Health For Northern Ireland. The Claimants challenge...
Identified failures in communication led to avoidable death of Professor of Haematology - Jun 2024
The Area Coroner for the Manchester City concluded that the death of a 43-year old Consultant Haematologist and father of two, Prof Amit Patel, would have been avoided were it not for...
Darragh Coffey speaks on the Coronial Jurisdiction in England and Wales - Apr 2024
On Wednesday 10th April Darragh Coffey gave a Dean’s lecture to the Inns of Court College of Advocacy Bar Course on the topic of Coroners and Inquests. The lecture was titled “the Coronial...
Darragh Coffey appears for family at inquest into death of leading doctor - Apr 2024
Darragh Coffey recently appeared at the inquest into the death of Professor Amit Patel, a consultant haematologist who passed away at age 43 after receiving treatment at Wythenshawe Hospital in...
Undercover Policing Inquiry’s Interim Report Published - Jul 2023
The Undercover Policing Inquiry’s Interim Report was published on 29th June. The report focuses on the period from 1968 – 1982 and found that the methods used by the police to gain information...
Is there a Human Right to Healthy Water? - Jun 2023
Darragh Coffey will speak at the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) annual conference today at 12pm. Darragh, Dr Inga Winkler of the Central European University, and Sir Crispin Agnew KC will...
Darragh Coffey appears in inquest into death of newborn - Jun 2023
Darragh Coffey is acting for the family of a three-day old baby at an inquest into her death. Wyllow-Raine Swinburn was born in September 2022 and appeared healthy, but she stopped breathing at home...
1COR Seminar: Pitfalls for Professionals on Social Media - May 2023
On 8th June 2023 we will be hosting a seminar exploring the pitfalls for professionals using social media today. Our panel of expert speakers includes: Richard Booth KC (Chair) Jeremy Hyam KC ...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review – Winter 2022 – Issue 12 – May 2023 - May 2023
Welcome to the twelfth issue of the QMLR, brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. This issue catches up on cases from early 2022. Download the Winter 2022 newsletter here: 1COR...
A New Bill of Rights? The Bill of Rights Bill Explained Webinar - Jul 2022
In a timely webinar, a panel of 1COR practitioners, Alasdair Henderson, Jim Duffy and Darragh Coffey, chaired by Rajkiran Barhey, will discuss the government’s recently published draft Bill of...
The 1COR Bundle 2022-2023 has arrived - Jul 2022
One Crown Office Row are excited to announce that the 22-23 Bundle is here! Download your copy here: 1COR BUNDLE 2022-23 Some highlights from the last 12 months include: Welcoming...
Darragh Coffey represents the family at an inquest into the death of a one-day old baby - Jun 2022
Darragh Coffey represented the family of a baby who died at one day of age at a two-day inquest into the child’s death. The infant had been a healthy new-born, with no concerns being raised...
Pupillage Application Tips and Life at the Bar with 1COR - Dec 2021
Join our barristers for a remote discussion on everything from applying for Pupillage, life at 1COR and more on Wednesday 19th January 2022. You'll also have a chance to ask our barristers questions...
Court of Appeal overturns high-profile judgment on children’s ability to consent to puberty blockers for gender dysphoria - Sep 2021
On Friday 17 September 2021 the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in R (Bell and another) v. Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, overturning the landmark ruling of the Divisional...
Get your copy of the 1COR Bundle 2021-22 now - Jun 2021
One Crown Office Row are excited to announce that their 2021-22 Bundle is here! Download your copy here: 1COR BUNDLE 2021-22 Some highlights from the last 12 months include: Launch...
Darragh Coffey Secures leave to remain for Mauritian National - May 2021
Darragh Coffey recently represented a 28 year old Mauritian man before the First Tier Tribunal in an appeal against the Home Office’s refusal to grant him Leave to Remain (“LTR”) on the basis of...
Inquest into death of Toddler at Butlins concludes - Mar 2021
In 2018, whilst on a family holiday at Butlins in Bognor Regis, James Manning choked on a piece of sausage at the resort. This led to his death in hospital some time later due to an ischaemic hypoxic...
Inquest into death of teenager from glandular fever - Mar 2021
At the inquest into the death of Toby Hudson Darragh Coffey, instructed via the AvMA pro bono service, represented his family. Toby, aged nineteen, was unable to contact his GP surgery due to phone...
Landmark ruling on whether children can consent to puberty blocker treatment for gender dysphoria - Dec 2020
Update: This case is being heard on by the Court of Appeal with Jeremy Hyam QC, Alasdair Henderson and Darragh Coffey instructed by Paul Conrathe of Sinclairslaw to represent the claimants. Watch the...
Tonight’s the night for the Bar Pro Bono Awards - Nov 2020
Looking forward to tonight's Advocate Awards ceremony with fingers crossed for joint nominees Emma-Louise Fenelon, Charlotte Gilmartin, Rajkiran Barhey, Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont for...
Undercover Policing Inquiry’s hearings begin today - Nov 2020
Today, 2nd November, the Undercover Policing Inquiry starts its hearings with seven days of live-streamed opening statements, followed by seven days of evidence hearings. The full schedule and how the...
Congratulations to our 5 juniors nominated for Advocate’s Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award - Oct 2020
Congratulations to Emma-Louise Fenelon, Charlotte Gilmartin, Rajkiran Barhey, Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont for their joint nomination for Advocate's Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Award....
Darragh Coffey examines recent key developments relating to the doctrine of vicarious liability on Lexis Nexis PSL - Sep 2020
Available now for Lexis Nexis PS subscribers, Darragh Coffey asks (and answers) 'What are the recent key developments relating to the doctrine of vicarious liability?'. He discusses two Supreme Court...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review – 2020 – Special Issue – Part 3 - Jul 2020
Welcome to this COVID-19 special issue of the Quarterly Medical Law Review, brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. Given the fast moving nature of this situation, we will likely...
Emma-Louise Fenelon and Darragh Coffey successful in Askham Bog Planning Inquiry - May 2020
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government yesterday dismissed an appeal in which planning permission was sought to develop housing near Askham Bog, a site of special...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review – 2020 – Special Issue – Part 2 - Apr 2020
Welcome to another special issue of the Quarterly Medical Law Review, brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. Given the fast moving nature of this situation, we will produce a number...
LawPod UK Ep. 108: Renewed lockdown, new guidance - Apr 2020
In this latest episode we consider the probable attitude of the judiciary to any challenges regarding the government’s responsibility for providing sufficient PPE, the risk imposed on individuals,...
1COR Quarterly Medical Law Review -2020 – Special Issue - Mar 2020
Welcome to this special issue of the Quarterly Medical Law Review (QMLR), brought to you by the barristers at 1 Crown Office Row. We are endeavouring to provide legal analysis of changes caused by...
Inquest into death of Toddler from Choking at Butlins - Jan 2020
Darragh Coffey, instructed by Julia Tracy at Capsticks, represents East Sussex Health Care (ESHC) NHS Trust at the inquest into the death of James Manning. In 2018 the 2 year old boy choked on a...
Emma-Louise Fenelon and Darragh Coffey represent Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to protect Askham Bog - Dec 2019
The Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) was approached by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) regarding a threat posed to Askham Bog, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This case ties into the wider...
1COR hosts Sutton Trust students for an insight into life at the Bar - Oct 2019
What is a barrister? 1COR hosts Sutton Trust Pathways to Law students to give them a glimpse into life at the Bar. 1COR, led by Head of Outreach Jo Moore, welcomes Sutton Trust students to learn...
1COR delighted to welcome Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont as new tenants - Sep 2019
After successfully completing their pupillage at 1 Crown Office Row, we are delighted that Darragh Coffey and Thomas Beamont have accepted our offer of tenancy. They will become full tenants at the...
1COR Brighton’s annual Ghulam Hussain Volleyball Cup is here! - Jul 2019
Each year, 1COR Brighton raise money for the Rockinghorse Appeal and remember fellow barrister Ghulam Hussain. This hugely popular event is going from strength to strength in its 9th year with 15...
1COR welcomes new pupils Darragh Coffey, Thomas Beamont and Michael Spencer - Oct 2018