Second jury fails to reach verdict in Custom House Capital fraud conspiracy trial

A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the second trial of Ciara Kelleher, a former senior portfolio relationship manager at Custom House Capital Ltd. The 53-year-old, of Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, faced one charge of conspiring with others to defraud investors by misrepresenting the placement of their assets between October 2008 and July 2011. Ms Kelleher denies the allegation. After deliberating for over eight hours, the jury was unable to agree on a verdict at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. This marks the second time a jury has failed to reach consensus in the case, following a trial two years ago. Judge Elva Duffy adjourned the matter to 27 February to allow the prosecution to obtain further directions and remanded Ms Kelleher on continuing bail. Several co-accused, including former CEO Harry Cassidy and former head of finance Paul Lavery of Ballinode, County Monaghan, previously pleaded guilty to related conspiracy charges and received custodial sentences in 2023.