Joseph McArdle, born in Monaghan, is a member of both the Irish and English Bars. A barrister, he has practiced commercial law in Ireland, and worked in England, Nigeria, Kenya and Belgium as a legal civil servant, a judge, a commercial lawyer and roving legal consultant. McArdle has also been a book reviewer, film critic, television scriptwriter and presenter. He is the author of a number of books including Irish Rogues and Rascals and Irish Legal Anecdotes and Dublin: Portrait of a City.