Ciaran was apprenticed to the late C.S. Kelly, Solicitor, in 1975.

He became a founding Partner in the practice in 1979 and took over the practice on the death of C.S. Kelly on the 1^st August, 1980.

His main areas of practice were Conveyancing and Probate as well as Criminal Work in the District and Circuit Court.

In 1983 Ciaran was appointed State Solicitor for County Donegal.

He held that position until 2005 when he retired from the post.

During that period he dealt with almost every aspect of the Criminal Law and appeared as a Prosecutor on behalf of the Director of Pubic Prosecutions in the District Court and Circuit Court. He also represented the Attorney General in all fishery prosecutions in County Donegal, during that period, dealing with Irish and foreign registered fishing vessels. His position required him to represent The Revenue Commissioners, various Departments of the Government as well as An Post and Bord Telecom Eireann.

He has appeared at numerous Inquests in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including, among others, the Omagh Bomb Inquest, where he established the right of Lawyers from the Republic to represent clients at Inquests in Northern Ireland.

Since 2005 Ciaran has concentrated on Criminal Defence Work, Personal Injury Defence work as well as all types of litigation in the District, Circuit, High and Supreme Court.