Courts / Mayo / Report
Case of solicitor who stole from clients must be re-heard after judge stands aside
Summary
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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Case of solicitor who stole from clients must be re-heard after judge stands aside. Charges or matters: one count of stealing €260,000 between February 21, 2008 and January 27, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 21, 2008 Incident
- January 27, 2011 Incident
- December 2 Adjournment
- September 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2008 and 2011 Other
- 2016-11-21 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: one count of stealing €260,000 between February 21, 2008 and January 27, 2011 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At an earlier sentence hearing this month, Judge Melanie Greally heard that Durcan, a mother-of-five, was running the family business, Durcan Solicitors in Castlebar, Co Mayo, at the time of the offence.; Judge Greally had adjourned the case having heard evidence to allow her time to consider sentencing.
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