Case of solicitor who stole from clients must be re-heard after judge stands aside

A former solicitor who pleaded guilty to stealing €260,000 from clients will have her case re-sentenced after the presiding judge stood aside on grounds of a potential conflict of interest. Jacqueline Durcan, previously from County Mayo but now resident in Brussels, took the money from mixed client deposit accounts between February 2008 and January 2011 whilst running Durcan Solicitors in Castlebar. Judge Melanie Greally, sitting at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, adjourned sentencing after learning that a member of her wider family was known to Durcan's family. The case has been transferred to Judge Patricia Ryan, with proceedings to resume on 2 December. Durcan admitted making multiple withdrawals, including €51,500 used to purchase her own home. The Law Society subsequently paid €206,184 in compensation to affected clients, which Durcan has repaid. She was struck off the roll and has since relocated to Belgium, where she teaches English as a foreign language.