Mr Ryan is the former head of corporate at Eversheds Sutherland Ireland, which was previously involved in merger talks with William Fry.

He has over 25 years’ experience in M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, with a particular focus on cross-border matters and technology-related transactions and companies.

Mr Newton brings over 20 years of experience in M&A, equity capital markets, private equity, venture capital and financial regulation.

He previously served as senior corporate lawyer at the Department of Finance, advising on major transactions during Ireland’s banking crisis, including the restructuring of the promissory note element of Ireland’s legacy banking debt, the liquidation of IBRC and the sale of Irish Life to Great West Lifeco.

Mr O’Flaherty brings over two decades of experience of advising on domestic and global M&A with particular sector focuses on financial services (to include more particularly insurance), agri-food and healthcare along with advising on corporate reorganisations and investments including extensively advising foreign corporates on foreign direct investment into the Irish market.

Along with being a chartered tax adviser, Mr O’Flaherty also has particular expertise in advising private equity and venture capital houses on their investment into or acquisition of Irish corporates and has acted on a number of the largest private equity transactions in and through Ireland over the last number of years.

Ms O’Brien joins as a corporate partner, advising domestic and international clients in a variety of sectors on M&A, fundraising, governance and shareholder arrangements.

Her career began at FEXCO, and since moving to private practice she has developed a strong focus on M&A transactions and private equity and venture capital investments.

Andrew McIntyre, head of William Fry’s corporate/M&A department, said: “We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional team to William Fry.

“Their deep experience and proven ability to navigate sophisticated transactions will significantly enhance our client offering. Their arrival strengthens the breadth and depth of our corporate/M&A practice, firmly positioning us as the go-to law firm in Ireland for M&A transactions.

“As our clients’ needs evolve, we are focused on continuing to develop a team that can deliver strategic, commercial advice across every stage of the corporate lifecycle — these appointments are a key part of that vision.”