Breifne O’Brien seeks legal aid for Supreme Court application

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Breifne O’Brien was sentenced to seven years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Patricia Ryan on 8 October 2014.

He had pleaded guilty to 14 sample counts of making a gain or causing a loss by deception or theft. The offences involved around €8.5 million between 2003 and 2008.

The Court of Appeal had dismissed his sentence appeal in December. It found that mitigating factors had received sufficient consideration. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan acknowledged the substantial sentence but endorsed the Circuit Court judge’s decision that seven years was appropriate.

On 24 June 2016, Barry Murphy BL, representing Breifne O’Brien, requested legal aid during Court of Appeal case management proceedings. The request concerned an application for Supreme Court permission to appeal the rejection of his sentence appeal. The proceedings were reported on 24 June 2016.

His book of appeal had been lodged with the Supreme Court on 25 May 2016. He did not attend the procedural hearing.

Lorcan Staines BL, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the legal aid application required a hearing before three judges. Mr Justice George Birmingham said it could be listed for mention before three judges on 22 July.