Court archive
Court reports mentioning Redcross, Wicklow
2025-10-22 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor convicted of stealing €18 million from Irish banks, is appealing to the Supreme Court to reduce his five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term by crediting the four‑and‑a‑half years he served in Brazil's Cotel Prison. The Supreme Court will consider how remission for good behaviour, normally a 25 % discount in Ireland, should apply to time served abroad. Lynn was convicted on ten counts in February 2024 and sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Martin Nolan to 13 years, later reduced to 5 years 9 months after the Court of Appeal added three months for severity. The appeal focuses on whether the courts should aggregate his Brazilian imprisonment and apply remission for the entire period, rather than only time served in Ireland. The Supreme Court has allowed the challenge to proceed, noting no statutory formula exists for crediting time abroad. The outcome could increase or decrease his sentence.
2025-05-13 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged 56, was sentenced to five‑and‑a‑half years in prison for stealing €18.1 million from six banks during the Celtic Tiger era. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the sentence but reduced the credit for time served in Ireland by three months, leaving a final term of five years and nine months to run concurrently from 20 December 2023. Edwards noted Lynn's crimes were "cynical, knowingly and intentionally" and that his professional status was abused. He found no evidence of sincere remorse or a guilty plea, and criticised Lynn for relocating to Brazil to avoid extradition. The appeal rejected arguments that mitigating factors, including PTSD and asset recovery, had been insufficiently considered. The sentence remains unchanged if the full three‑month credit is applied.
2024-10-18 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged 55, faces a potential release from prison next month if his appeal against a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for stealing over €18 million from six financial institutions succeeds. Lynn was jailed eight months ago and his appeal is scheduled for November 4, the same day his legal team believes he could be released if the appeal is successful. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, clarified that grounds of appeal cannot be heard piecemeal and that the sentence appeal will be heard before the conviction appeal, an exception to usual practice. Lynn's legal team must submit their arguments by the end of next week, after which the State will reply. The judge noted that failure to comply with the timetable would halt the case. Lynn's original sentence, imposed by Judge Martin Nolan, was 13 years, reduced to 5½ years after credit for time served in Brazil.
2024-06-28 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a 55‑year‑old former solicitor from Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, has been granted legal aid to appeal both his conviction and sentence for stealing over €18 million from six financial institutions. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, agreed to provide aid on the same terms as the trial court after Lynn presented a statement declaring he had no means. The judge noted that should new information arise making legal aid inappropriate, the State could return the matter to the Court of Appeal. Lynn, found guilty of 10 of 21 theft counts in a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial after a hung jury in 2022, is currently serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term. He intends to appeal the conviction and the sentence, with the appeal focusing on the construction of the sentence and release date issues. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2024-05-13 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor now serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for €17.9 million fraud, has filed a High Court judicial review against the Department of Justice. The department refused to pay for his lawyers' review of the thousands of pages of documents disclosed during his retrial, arguing that, as a qualified solicitor, Lynn could review the material himself. Lynn's counsel, Mark Lynam SC, argues that the refusal breaches his constitutional right to a fair trial and the European Convention on Human Rights. He seeks an order quashing the refusal, a remittance for fresh consideration, and declarations that the department acted irrationally and in error. The case was granted ex‑parte permission by Justice Niamh Hyland and will return next month. The review involved roughly 150,000 hours of work and included over 9,000 additional pages not seen in the first trial. Michael Lynn was found guilty.
2024-04-16 · Wicklow
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions is investigating whether assets linked to Michael Lynn are benefits of crime. The DPP alleges Lynn stole just over €18 million from six financial institutions in 2006 and 2007. He was convicted of 10 of 21 theft counts and jailed in February for five-and-a-half years. The investigation targets three bank accounts containing €2.8 million, a house in Brittas Bay purchased by a corporation strongly linked to Lynn, and €3 million confiscated by Portuguese authorities. Prosecution counsel Joe Mulrean BL stated the DPP is engaged in enquiry under sections 9, 10, and 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994. Defense counsel Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL required proof of service before adjournment. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the matter, noting it is likely to be contested. The case returns to court on July 8. Separately, the Court of Appeal recently required Lynn to provide a statement of financial means before legal aid could be granted for his appeal against conviction. Lynn has recently changed solicitors and intends to apply for further legal aid.
2024-04-12 · Wicklow
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 12 April 2024, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, was granted a change of legal representation to John P O'Donohoe but the court reserved its decision on legal aid pending a statement of his financial means to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Lynn, who is serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence for stealing just over €18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, must provide this statement before legal aid for his appeal can be granted. The court noted that if any issue arises, it should be notified. Lynn was found guilty of 10 of 21 counts of theft in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year; the remaining 11 counts were dropped after the jury could not agree. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2024-02-19 · Wicklow
Former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, was found guilty of stealing €18,144,385 from six banks during the Celtic Tiger era. He was convicted on ten counts of theft in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial; the jury could not agree on the remaining eleven counts. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Lynn to five and a half years' imprisonment, crediting him for seven and a half years spent in Brazilian prison. The headline sentence was 13 years, but the final imposed term was five and a half years, with the credit for time served. Lynn was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four and a half years in a harsh prison. He and his wife Brid Murphy were present at sentencing, showing no visible reaction. The court set a hearing for asset confiscation on 16 April. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2024-01-15 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, aged 55, was found guilty of 21 counts of theft involving nearly €18 million stolen from six banks during a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year. The jury reached verdicts on 10 counts but could not agree on the remaining 11. Lynn, a former solicitor and property developer, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. He has no prior convictions and has been in custody since his conviction just before Christmas. The sentencing hearing scheduled for 15 January 2024 was adjourned for two weeks to allow his defence team to obtain a psychological report. Judge Martin Nolan set a new sentencing date of 19 February 2024. The adjournment was requested to address matters concerning Lynn's psychological health and detention status.
2023-12-20 · Wicklow
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a jury convicted former solicitor Michael Lynn on ten counts of theft, finding him guilty of stealing approximately €17.9 million from six financial institutions between 2006 and 2007. The verdicts were delivered after a two‑day, eight‑week trial and six and a half hours of deliberation. The jury could not reach a verdict on the remaining eleven counts, including a single count against Bank of Ireland alleging a €2.7 million theft. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Lynn in custody and set a sentencing date for 15 January. Lynn, who had pleaded not guilty to 21 theft charges, had previously been struck off the roll of solicitors and had spent time in Brazilian prison before extradition. The case centred on Lynn's alleged use of "off‑the‑books" agreements to obtain multiple mortgages on the same properties, a practice he claimed was common in Celtic Tiger Ireland.
2023-12-19 · Wicklow
The jury in the multi‑million euro theft trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn retired after a day of deliberation, having spent three hours and 45 minutes in the courtroom. Judge Martin Nolan sent them home, and they will resume consideration of their verdicts tomorrow. Lynn, 55, of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, faces 21 counts of theft for allegedly stealing about €27 million from seven financial institutions between 23 October 2006 and 20 April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.
2023-12-18 · Wicklow
The jury in the multi‑million euro theft trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn is ready to begin deliberations after Judge Martin Nolan delivered his charge on day 33. Judge Nolan instructed jurors to set aside prejudice and remain dispassionate, noting that most people dislike banks and that reckless behaviour had harmed the state. Lynn, 55, is accused of stealing about €27 million from seven financial institutions between 2006 and 2007, including Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. He pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft. The prosecution alleges Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties without banks knowing other lenders were involved, while the defence claims he had "off‑the‑books" agreements with all banks to use the loan money for overseas property developments, and that the banks were aware of this purpose.
2023-12-15 · Wicklow
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 15 December 2023, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, faced 21 counts of theft for allegedly siphoning about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. Prosecutor Karl Finnegan SC portrayed Lynn as a "greedy risk‑taker" who used multiple mortgages on the same properties, claiming the banks were unaware of other lenders. Lynn testified that he had "off‑the‑books" agreements and a secret deal with former Irish Nationwide chief Michael Fingleton to use Irish Nationwide funds for overseas property development. Finnegan argued that the alleged arrangements were "implausible" and that the banks had no knowledge of any conspiracy. Defence counsel Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL countered that Lynn's "profit‑share" agreement with Fingleton and the banks' awareness of his borrowing meant no deception had occurred, and that the prosecution's case relied on alleged "undertaking‑only" mortgages that the banks had never formally documented. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-14 · Wicklow
In a Dublin trial, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, denies allegations of stealing about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. He rejects the prosecution's claim that bank employees conspired to ignore normal lending practice and disputes that he misled the banks. Lynn says he obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties with the banks' knowledge and that he had "off‑the‑book understandings" with former INBS CEO Michael Fingleton. He argues the banks were aware of the purpose of the loans and consented. Prosecuting counsel, Karl Finnegan, accuses Lynn of blaming others, naming names, and maligning their characters to protect himself. Lynn maintains he had no intention to deceive or steal and that he planned to repay the loans through overseas property development. The case proceeds before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-13 · Wicklow
During his multi‑million euro theft trial, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, explained that a High Court order on 15 October 2007 froze his accounts and suspended him as a solicitor. He said he was asked to relocate abroad to "batten down the hatches" amid the 2008 financial crisis. Lynn moved first to London, then Portugal, and later to Brazil in 2011, where he taught English and sought opportunities. He denied evading Gardaí between 2008 and 2011, claiming he had followed legal advice and informed authorities of his whereabouts. Lynn was arrested in August 2013 and spent four and a half years in Brazilian prison before returning to Ireland in March 2018. He is on trial for 21 counts of theft, accused of stealing about €27 million from seven Irish financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. The trial is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-12 · Wicklow
During a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 12 December 2023, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, explained that he had engaged in "off‑the‑book" loan arrangements with bankers, including former Irish Nationwide chief Michael Fingleton. Lynn said he met Fingleton in 2006 to sign a "memo of understanding" that would give Fingleton a stake in the third stage of Lynn's Portuguese apartment development, Cabanas 3. He claimed the memo was drafted by an English lawyer and that other bankers received discounts on apartment purchases, naming Ciaran Farrell of Permanent TSB as one who allegedly benefited from an "artificial deposit" on a Portuguese apartment. Lynn said the off‑book documents were mainly emails sent to bankers' addresses linked to his property companies, Kendar Holdings and Kendar Global. He denied that any other banker agreed to a stake in a development and said the Portuguese project never proceeded after 2007. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-11 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor from County Wicklow, has begun giving evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in his trial on charges relating to approximately €27 million in alleged theft from seven financial institutions. Mr Lynn, aged 55, outlined his professional background to the jury, describing his career path from qualification in 1994 through to establishing his own practice in 1997, which eventually expanded to 15 staff members. He also detailed his involvement in property investment and development, including projects in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, and Portugal. The prosecution alleges Mr Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on identical properties without the knowledge of participating banks. Mr Lynn has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft occurring between October 2006 and April 2007. The trial, before Judge Martin Nolan and jury, continues with Mr Lynn's evidence ongoing.
2023-12-09 · Wicklow
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 9 December 2023, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, faced 21 counts of theft involving about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. Retired Inspector Patrick Linehan, who led the investigation, explained that Gardaí had arranged interviews with Lynn in 2011, first in Portugal and later in London, but the meetings were cancelled because Lynn's solicitors were not all available. Lynn had moved to Brazil before the October 2011 interview, a fact Gardaí only learned after the interview was postponed. Linehan noted that Gardaí had monitored Lynn's movements via Interpol and had no extradition treaty with Brazil. He also said Gardaí had not received a direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge Lynn while he was in Portugal. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-07 · Wicklow
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 55‑year‑old Michael Lynn stands trial for 21 counts of theft, accused of siphoning roughly €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. Lynn maintains that the mortgages he secured on the same properties were "undertaking‑only" mortgages, not first legal charges, and that banks were unaware of overlapping financing. Suzanne Bainton, a practising solicitor and member of the Law Society's conveyancing committee, testified that she has never encountered a solicitor's undertaking‑only mortgage where a bank could claim against a solicitor's professional indemnity insurance. She explained that such undertakings are intended to reduce lending costs and rely on implicit trust in solicitors, noting that insurance coverage for solicitor fraud does not exist. Bainton also clarified that the undertaking is not meant for commercial lending, though banks may accept it. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-06 · Wicklow
An ACC Bank fraud officer has given evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the ongoing theft trial of Michael Lynn, a former solicitor. Mr Lynn, aged 55 and resident in County Wicklow, faces 21 counts of theft relating to alleged offences between October 2006 and April 2007, with a total value of approximately €27 million across seven financial institutions. The prosecution alleges Mr Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on identical properties without the lenders' knowledge. The witness confirmed that a €3.7 million loan provided by ACC to Mr Lynn in 2007 for the purchase of Glenlion House in Howth was classified as a private residential mortgage and not a commercial facility. He stated the bank would not have advanced funds had it been aware that the Irish Nationwide Building Society and Bank of Scotland Ireland had simultaneously provided loans totalling over €8 million for the same property. The trial, before Judge Martin Nolan, continues. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-12-05 · Wicklow
During the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, former solicitor and property developer Michael Lynn (55) pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft, accused of stealing about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. The prosecution argued that Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties, with banks unaware that other institutions were also financing the same assets. John Kinsella, a partner at Kinsella Mitchell & Associates and former auditor for Lynn's company Kendar Holdings Limited, was cross‑examined. Kinsella admitted that Lynn had a favourable relationship with banks and was never denied a loan. He also confirmed that Lynn's financial affairs were "an open book" and that he had access to Lynn's accounts. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
2023-12-04 · Wicklow
During a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, former Michael Lynn solicitor Fiona McAleenan denied any knowledge of Mr Lynn's bank borrowings and claimed she had never been a partner in the practice. Mr Lynn, aged 55, faces 21 theft counts for allegedly stealing about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. McAleenan said she had only been appointed partner in October 2006 and that she had never been a partner before or after leaving the firm. She denied involvement in any bank transfers or money movements, stating she was unaware of the lending or the amounts. The prosecution's case alleges Mr Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties while banks were unaware of other lenders. McAleenan's testimony concluded after the judge thanked her for her attendance, and the trial continues before Judge Nolan and a jury. Fiona McAleenan pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-27 · Wicklow
During the trial of former Michael Lynn solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Ms Fiona McAleenan repeatedly denied any involvement in conveyancing within the firm. She was called to the stand for a third day and cross‑examined by defence counsel Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL. The prosecution presented internal emails and office documents suggesting Ms McAleenan received weekly conveyancing reports, which she denied remembering. She claimed she had no staff and that Mr Lynn was the principal solicitor, stating she performed her work properly and that no issues were raised with her litigation files. Defence counsel highlighted a memo from Mr Lynn in March 2007 requesting her to manage all files and a May 2007 email indicating she would take control of litigation matters. Ms McAleenan maintained she was not involved in conveyancing, offering to call witnesses who could confirm this. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with the jury hearing the evidence. Fiona McAleenan pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-24 · Wicklow
In a trial held on 24 November 2023, Michael Lynn, aged 55, faced 21 counts of theft for allegedly stealing about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. The prosecution argued that Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties without banks knowing other institutions were financing them, and that he stole €2.7 million from Bank of Ireland in December 2006. Witness Arthur King, a Bank of Ireland employee, was cross‑examined about internal emails from March 2004 in which a head‑office official suggested Lynn should be referred to the Law Society. Lynn denied knowledge of the emails. The trial also examined testimony from former solicitor Fiona McAleenan, who resigned in 2007 and later sought advice from the Law Society after receiving letters from banks about shared property charges. The case continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-23 · Wicklow
During the multi‑million euro theft trial of Michael Lynn, a solicitor who had worked in his practice testified that Ms Fiona McAleenan was never a partner in the firm. McAleenan denied that another legal executive had been authorised to sign her name and claimed she had not consented to such action. She said she had been involved in negotiations about becoming a partner but was ultimately advised not to proceed. McAleenan also stated that she had not signed the solicitor's letters of undertaking that were presented as her work, and that any signatures on those documents were made by former executive Liz Doyle. She maintained that she had not sent an email to a bank manager claiming partnership status and suggested that someone else may have used her account. The prosecution alleges that Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, with several banks unaware of the other institutions' financing. Fiona McAleenan pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-22 · Wicklow
During the multi‑million euro trial of Michael Lynn, former INBS senior manager Brian Fitzgibbon testified that he had never met or spoken to Lynn in any capacity, contradicting Lynn's earlier claim of repeated meetings. Fitzgibbon, who had the discretion to approve loan facilities when chief executive Michael Fingleton was unavailable, denied approving Lynn's €4.1 million mortgage for the Glenlion property in Howth. He said the loan was ultimately presented to Fingleton, who signed minimal documentation. Lynn, aged 55, faces 21 counts of theft for €27 million stolen from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with the jury hearing evidence from INBS, Danske Bank, Ulster Bank, Rabobank and others regarding Lynn's alleged fraudulent loans. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-21 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged fifty-five from County Wicklow, continues his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges of theft amounting to approximately twenty-seven million euro from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to twenty-one counts of theft. The prosecution alleges that Mr Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on identical properties without the knowledge of the lending banks. A former Bank of Ireland official testified that loans sanctioned by him for Mr Lynn, including a Carrick-on-Shannon apartment development around 2003, could only be used for purposes specified in loan agreements. The witness stated his employment would have been at risk had he permitted unauthorised use of funds. Another Bank of Ireland witness denied allegations that he had agreed Mr Lynn could use borrowed money as he wished, and stated he had no recollection of meeting Mr Lynn. The trial before Judge Martin Nolan continues with jury present.
2023-11-20 · Wicklow
During the multi‑million euro theft trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, the court heard that two members of the legal department of Permanent TSB (now PTSB) attended the proceedings to provide "moral support" to witnesses. Ciaran Farrell, a former branch manager and current business development manager at the bank, told the court that the two attendees were present at the evidence of his colleague John O'Brien. Farrell said he did not know the purpose of the accompaniment, adding that he presumed it was simply support. He also stated that he had not discussed the evidence with his colleagues, noting that their conversations had been about fantasy football. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan and heard by a jury, continues with Mr Lynn accused of stealing around €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-16 · Wicklow
During the trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, an ex‑Anglo Irish Bank manager, David Casey, testified that he did not believe the bank's chairperson, Sean Fitzpatrick, had "intimate knowledge" of any one customer. Casey, who had taken over management of Lynn's loans after the initial period, said it was common practice to refuse a loan where there was lending with other banks. He also noted that the bank had lent €11 million to Lynn in one year, a significant but not unusual amount. Lynn, aged 55, faces 21 counts of theft of about €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury hearing the evidence presented by both defence and prosecution. Sean Fitzpatrick pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-15 · Wicklow
During the trial of Michael Lynn, a former legal executive, Ms. Liz Doyle, was cross‑examined about her role in the firm and a loan of €80,000 she claimed to have given to Lynn in January 2007. Doyle admitted she was an authorised signatory on cheques and that she had forwarded emails to solicitor Fiona McAleenan. She acknowledged that the firm had a practice of signing each other's names on documents, but denied that she had ever signed a letter without permission. Doyle also said she had no knowledge of any fraud and that she was very ill at the time of the alleged civil case involving Irish Life and Permanent. The prosecution argued that Lynn had obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, but the trial continues before Judge Nolan and the jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-14 · Wicklow
In the trial of Michael Lynn, a former legal executive, Liz Doyle, testified that she signed another solicitor's name on documents at Lynn's instruction, citing intense pressure and fear in the firm. Doyle, who worked as a legal executive at Michael Lynn & Co, described a demanding environment with constant calls and emails, and claimed she followed Lynn's directions to sign the name of Fiona McAleenan, a solicitor in the practice, and also the signature of Kinsella Mitchell and Associates, auditors for the firm. She admitted she was aware that signing the documents was wrong but felt compelled by the pressure. Doyle also discussed personal financial strain, including her husband's business collapse and multiple mortgages. The prosecution alleges Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, while the defence disputes the extent of Doyle's knowledge and intent. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-13 · Wicklow
Former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, stands trial in Dublin for alleged theft of about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 theft counts. During the hearing, Lynn admitted in a prior trial that the borrowings were his responsibility and that he benefited from the money. The prosecution argues he secured multiple mortgages on the same properties without banks knowing other institutions were financing them. The banks named are Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank (now Danske Bank), Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Lynn will give further evidence in this trial, and the jury will hear his full account. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan.
2023-11-10 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, 55, of Co. Wicklow, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006, and April 20, 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, which allege the theft of approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions. The prosecution contends that Mr. Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties while banks were unaware of other financing. Testifying, former INBS senior underwriter Olivia Greene stated that her career "nosedived" after the €4.1 million loan to Mr. Lynn for Glenlion House came under scrutiny. She told the court that INBS chief executive Michael Fingleton refused to take responsibility for the approval, leading to her constructive dismissal. Under cross-examination by Paul Comiskey O'Keefe BL, Ms. Greene agreed that INBS was a beneficiary of the bank insolvency scheme, was fined €5 million which it could not pay, and ultimately cost the state €5.4 billion. The trial is currently at the sentencing stage, though the matter remains ongoing as the trial resumes before Judge Martin Nolan.
2023-11-09 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a 55-year-old from County Wicklow, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of stealing approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft. During cross-examination, the defence team challenged a former Bank of Ireland senior business manager's testimony regarding loan applications. The witness rejected suggestions that loans could be used for purposes other than property purchases, describing such a proposition as a "fairytale." The defence contended that Mr Lynn intended to use borrowed funds for overseas development projects, including ventures in Carrick-on-Shannon and Portugal. A former Ulster Bank official also denied allegations that Mr Lynn provided him with cash or paid for his travel. The prosecution's case centres on Mr Lynn obtaining multiple mortgages on identical properties from different institutions without their knowledge. The seven lenders involved include Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, and Irish Nationwide Building Society. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and jury.
2023-11-08 · Wicklow
Senior officials from the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank denied that they were negligent in their lending to Michael Lynn, who is on trial for 21 counts of theft involving about €27 million taken from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. Mr Lynn, aged 55, is accused of obtaining multiple mortgages on the same properties without the banks knowing that other institutions were also financing those properties. Jim Madden, a former Bank of Ireland senior business manager, testified that he acted as a mortgage broker for Bank of Ireland Mortgages and that the 2006 mortgage application was approved and drawn down on 13 December 2006. He said the loan would not have proceeded if the bank had known about Ulster Bank's financing of the same properties. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-07 · Wicklow
During a multi‑million euro theft trial, former Ulster Bank manager Stephen McCarthy testified that there was no covert or side arrangement between the bank and former solicitor Michael Lynn. McCarthy, who was involved in a €3.65 million loan application for Lynn's purchase of 11 residential investment properties, described a meeting in September 2006 where Lynn requested an undertaking from the bank's solicitor firm. McCarthy said the bank complied only after a different partner would provide the undertaking. He denied any knowledge of hidden information or regulatory inquiries and stated he was unaware of any "flexible lending" or dual approach. McCarthy also clarified that the bank's interest was not in Lynn's €55 million European development plan, which was unrelated to the loan for the apartments. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-06 · Wicklow
During the €27m theft trial of solicitor Michael Lynn, a witness, former Dun Laoghaire INBS branch manager Mark Mulcahy, testified that he was unaware of any relationship between Lynn and former INBS boss Michael Fingleton, and that he had never seen them together. Mulcahy said he had not been instructed by Fingleton to handle Lynn's loans differently and that all loans were processed normally. He recalled being introduced to Lynn in the early 2000s as a potential business partner and handling several mortgage applications for Lynn, but denied any knowledge of a private banker arrangement. The prosecution alleges Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties from several banks without the institutions knowing each other. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2023-11-03 · Wicklow
During a multi‑million theft trial, Michael Lynn's defence team argued that the €4.1 million mortgage for Glenlion House in Howth was never a home loan but a development loan, citing a survey that identified potential development sites. Lynn, 55, pleaded not guilty to 21 theft counts involving €27 million stolen from seven financial institutions. Witnesses, including former INBS manager Mark Mulcahy and former National Irish Bank assistant Orla Deignan, testified about Lynn's mortgage applications between 2000 and 2002 and the 2007 application for Glenlion House, which was initially declined but later approved and subsequently written off as unrecoverable debt. Defence counsel highlighted that Lynn had been making repayments until accounts were frozen in October 2007. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues before a jury.
2023-11-02 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, 55, is on trial in Dublin accused of stealing approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft alleged to have occurred between October 23, 2006, and April 20, 2007. The prosecution contends that Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties while banks were unaware of other institutions' finance. Defence counsel Mark Lynam SC suggested that former Irish Nationwide Building Society chairman Michael Fingleton acted as Lynn's "personal banker," facilitating loans through Bank of Scotland Ireland. Witness Tom Brennan, a Bank of Scotland Ireland worker, testified that an offer letter for €3.5 million was issued to Proper T Capital Ltd, a company directed by Lynn and his wife, Brid Murphy. Brennan stated he was unaware of other finance and that the bank obtained first legal charges on nine of ten properties. Retired National Irish Bank worker Nicholas Robert Hamilton denied meeting Lynn or knowing about offshore property use, contradicting defence suggestions. Arthur King, of ICS Building Society, testified that Bank of Ireland issued a €2.74 million cheque to Michael Lynn and Co Solicitors in December 2006. King noted that the bank discovered the first legal charge had not been registered and that letters of undertaking to other institutions could not be fulfilled. The defence suggested banks relied on solicitors' professional indemnity insurance rather than property security. The trial is ongoing.
2023-11-01 · Wicklow
In the €27 million theft trial of Michael Lynn, solicitor Fiona McAleenan testified that she did not sign the letter of undertaking containing her signature. McAleenan, who joined Lynn's firm in 2004 as a litigation solicitor, explained that she had been asked to sign documents from conveyancing files but had no involvement beyond signing the letter of undertaking. She recalled that the document was prepared by staff, with Liz Doyle completing the pages before she signed, and that she could not remember signing the Bank of Ireland Mortgages letter. McAleenan confirmed she was never a partner in the practice and that any other lines on the documents were added by someone else. The jury was informed that McAleenan would be recalled for further evidence later in the trial. The case remains before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-10-26 · Wicklow
In a trial held on 26 October 2023, retired National Irish Bank (NIB) business manager Noel McCole testified that the bank discovered other financial institutions had interests in four apartments that solicitor Michael Lynn (55) had purchased with a €1.38 million loan from NIB. McCole, who managed the Blanchardstown branch in the 1990s, explained that Lynn's solicitors had business accounts there, which were later closed. He described the loan application process, noting that Lynn initially proposed an 85 % loan‑to‑value ratio, which was rejected because NIB's guideline was 80 %. Lynn's assistant, Liz Doyle, emailed the bank in December 2006 seeking lending criteria, and an application was submitted in early 2007. NIB issued a facility letter on 13 February 2007, and Lynn signed it on 2 February. The bank drew down €1.38 million electronically on 16 March 2007, with a €5 000 charge deducted. Repayments were made between April and September 2007. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
2023-10-25 · Wicklow
Michael Lynn, a 55‑year‑old former solicitor, is accused of using his professional knowledge to deceive several banks and building societies between 2006 and 2007. He allegedly obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, securing loans from Ulster Bank, Irish Nationwide, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and others, while presenting false documents and solicitor's undertakings. The prosecution claims he stole over €27 million, including €11 million for a single property, Glenlion in Howth, and €1.2 million for a €390,000 property, and received more than €500,000 for a property he did not purchase. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of stealing property. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, is expected to last up to eight weeks.
2023-10-23 · Wicklow
The trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, is set to begin this week at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He faces 21 counts of stealing property from various financial institutions between 2006 and 2007 and has pleaded not guilty. An extended panel of 15 jurors, comprising seven men and eight women, has been selected. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, is expected to last eight weeks.
2022-06-27 · Dublin
Karl Cummins, 29, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a four‑month suspended sentence for dangerous driving after he forced a Garda patrol car to take evasive action in Tallaght in 2017. Cummins, who has 65 prior convictions including 15 for dangerous driving and was banned from driving for 16 years in 2015, pleaded guilty to the offence at Fettercairn Ring Road on 21 July 2017. During the sentencing hearing in March, the court heard that Cummins had turned his life around, had brought €500 to the court as a token of remorse, and had been engaged in voluntary work. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the sentence in full on the condition that Cummins engage with the Probation Service for 12 months and disqualified him from driving for eight years. The case was brought by Detective Garda David Jennings, who described the pursuit and the car's evasive manoeuvre.
2022-03-07 · Dublin
Karl Cummins, 29, a serial driving offender with 65 convictions including 15 for dangerous driving, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a dangerous driving offence on 21 July 2017. Cummins had been banned from driving for 16 years since 2015. At the sentencing hearing, he offered €500 as a token of remorse, which the judge directed to be paid to the Irish Red Cross Crisis Appeal to aid Ukrainian refugees. The case was adjourned to 16 June for a community service report. Cummins, who lives on Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, has claimed to have turned his life around, describing himself as a committed father and community volunteer. The prosecution noted the incident involved a high‑speed pursuit by Gardaí that was halted to avoid endangering other road users. The judge accepted the charity nomination and ordered the payment to the Red Cross campaign. Karl Cummins pleaded guilty.