Relates to case of Bernadette Harvey, a widow, who lost her pension as a blind person when she became eligible for the old age pension at 66, as they were deemed to be the same thing except that former pension was payable earlier. Significance of case is reflected in the fact that it required an amendment to be introduced in the Social Welfare Act 1989. Judgement in the Supreme Court was given 10/05/1989, and costs were awarded on 06/07/1989 for both High and Supreme Court hearings.

Mary Robinson worked as Senior Counsel, and material is arranged across two files.

Material in this file consists of correspondence between Mary Robinson (MR), Senior Counsel, Gerard Durcan, Junior Counsel, and Kevin P Kilrane, solicitor for Bernadette Harvey (17/09/1986-13/01/1992) some of which includes photocopies of correspondence between Harvey and the Department of Social Welfare (31/07/1985-28/07/1986), memorandum from Gerry Whyte to MR suggesting two arguments in relation to case, 01/10/1986, Durcan's legal opinion on case 06/10/1986, and draft Statement, Affidavit and Notice of Motion (04/12/1986).

Material in this file consists of legal documents, case notes and cutting (09/04/1987). Case documents include High Court Judicial Review between Bernadette Harvey, Applicant, and The Minister for Social Welfare and The Attorney General; Respondents material such as Affidavit of Harvey (06/01/1987) attached to copies of correspondence between her and Department of Social Welfare (31/7/1985-07/02/1986), Statement 06/01/1987, Statement of Opposition and Affidavit to verify Statement of Respondents (12/03/1987); 2 copies of Book of Appeal to Supreme Court with cover letter from Kilrane to Mary Robinson (MR), Senior Counsel, 08/07/1988; Brief for Counsel with cover letter from Kilrane to MR, 07/12/1988; Second Brief for Counsel with material in slightly different order and including and excluding one or two documents; folder of photocopied correspondence between Harvey and Department of Social Welfare, including initial letter from Kilrane to Department (31/07/1985-07/02/1986); draft appeal with notation.

Files relating to the production of documentary film "Bernadette: Notes on a Political Journey', directed by Lelia Doolan, and telling the story and life of activist Bernadette Devlin-McAliskey.

Files of research material used by Lelia Doolan in writing and producing the film "Bernadette: Notes on a Political Journey". Includes print outs of material from various newspapers and online archives and web sources. Includes archive photographs of Bernadette Devlin McAliskey; text of Devlin's maiden speech in UK parliament (1967), copies of newspaper articles about and of interviews with Devlin, and assorted other material relating to the life and work of Bernadette Devlin McAliskey; interview with Doolan from Playboy Magazine "A candid conversation with the fiery young Irish revolutionary"; transcripts of testimony given by Devlin about Bloody Sunday 1972 given to the [Saville Tribunal]; interview with Devlin with Ralf Sotscheck from German newspaper Die Tageszeitung (6 Apr 1999); transcript of interview with Devlin from '60 Minutes' CBS television programme, 3 Feb 1970; photocopy of pamphlet "The church and Republicanism in British Occupied Ireland" by Bernadette McAliskey, Mary Nelis, Desmond Wilson, introduction by Joseph McVeigh; "The Irish Struggle Today': Interview with Devlin Stuart Ross, 'Against the Current', Mar/Apr 1994; Play programme from "Bloody Sunday: Scenes from the Saville Tribunal", presented by the Tricycle Theatre, London, edited by Richard Norton-Taylor. and stated at the abbey Theatre, Dublin, Grand Opera House, Belfast, and Millennium Forum Theatre, Derry (2005). Print pamphlet "The Nation", No. 30, October 1988, published by the Irish American Defense Fund, New York"; Booklet from University of Cambridge Graduation Ceremony, congregation of the regent House, 21 Jul 2007;

Initially listed as Mr and Mrs Adrian English and others, a group of approximately 80 couples came together as the Married Couples Tax Association to challenge Irish Government on how tax was being applied to married couples (constitutionality of section 21 of Finance Act 1980). (Linked to ruling in Murphy case delivered in April 1980 by Supreme Court which ruled sections unconstitutional since State had considered wife's income to be husbands and taxed accordingly. Mary Robinson was Senior Counsel on both this and the Murphy case which is not in this archive.). High Court hearing before Justice Barrington 24/06/1984, judgement 16/07/1984, notice of appeal 07/09/1984 and Supreme Court Judgement 12/11/1985.

Material in this subsubseries is arranged across three files.

Material in this file relates to case of Bernard and Ann Muckley v Ireland and includes correspondence between Mary Robinson (MR) as Senior Counsel and Brian Rigney, solicitor, 30/03/1981-25/10/1988, including in relation to fees; typed letter from Terry Ohle to MR in relation to a tax liability the Ohles owed and inquiring if there was a High Court Case pending that might assist 19/02/1981; correspondence from several couples to MR looking for assistance in relation to their taxes or wishing to be considered for test case 20/10/1981-10/01/1983; draft questionnaire sent out by Rigney to all couples in Married Couples Tax Association (MCTA) and related correspondence 11-15/12/1981; copies of typed letters from Brian Leonard to Rigney giving tax advice to be passed to the couples of MTCA, updating Rigney on two Tax cases involving Revenue Commissioners that were being adjourned on appeal and suggesting one (Muckley) could be used as test case 06/04/1982; photocopy of letter from Louis J Dockery, Chief State Solicitor to Rigney 31/05/1984; handwritten notes and background information and calculations on Finance Act and tax implications.

This file contains legal documents and copies including copy of Defence by Louis J. Dockery, Chief State Solicitor, delivered in High Court, 13/01/1982, with notation; photocopy of Plenary Summons served to Attorney General and revenue Commissioners and signed by their solicitors 03/05/1982; draft typed Statement of Claim 1982; photocopy of [draft?] Notice of Motion and Reply, 198[2?]; photocopy of Statement of Claim delivered 22/10/1982 attached to additional photocopy of plenary summons signed; Transcript of Evidence (Respondents Copy) of High Court Action heard before Justice Barrington on 27/06/1984; Book of Pleadings Supreme Court n.d.; Book of Appeal, Book 1, Supreme Court, n.d.; Brief for Counsel (MR's copy) from Murphy Rigney & Co solicitors; cuttings 24/06/1984-14/11/1985.

Typescript text of "Bernard Comes Back" by Mary Rynne (7pp). Enclosed in an envelope with a manuscript label saying: "Bernard Comes Back" A Short Play Story by Mary Rynne. Play is crossed out a few times, and story is written above it. This envelope was included in the folder containing "Atlantic View."

File includes colour drawings of costumes and characters from "Betty Big Shoes" produced by Macnas. Also includes a typed account of processes and ideas from the designer Vanessa Daws, who designed the production for Macnas.