Eversheds‘ associated Irish firm O’Donnell Sweeney has hired Gavin McGuire as a partner from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) to boost its corporate tax team.

Gavin McGuire, who is admitted to practise in Ireland, England and Wales, joins O’Donnell Sweeney as a partner to develop a dedicated tax specialism. He was previously a senior associate at BLG.

Prior to joining BLG, McGuire was at PricewaterhouseCoopers. As well as corporate tax, he has experience in tax and customs matters.

McGuire is O’Donnell Sweeney’s first dedicated tax partner. Managing partner Francis Hackett said that the hire and the growth of a tax practice represented a key part of the firm’s future strategy.

O’Donnell Sweeney formed an association with Eversheds in January and is due to formalise the arrangement in January 2007 when it becomes O’Donnell Sweeney Eversheds.