Courts / Mayo / Report

Former solicitor appeals 12-month jail sentence for stealing €260k from clients

Summary

A former solicitor from Castlebar, County Mayo, has appealed a 12-month jail sentence imposed for stealing €260,000 from clients. Jacqueline Durcan pleaded guilty to the theft, which occurred between February 2008 and January 2011 while she was operating Durcan Solicitors. The funds were withdrawn from mixed client deposit accounts during a period when she and her husband faced significant financial difficulties owing €6.5 million to banks. Durcan has since repaid all stolen monies. At the Court of Appeal hearing on 12 January 2017, her barrister argued that full restitution, her cooperation with authorities, and her personal circumstances as a young mother warranted reconsideration of the sentence. The prosecution submitted the 12-month term fell within the lower range of available custodial sentences. The three-judge court reserved judgement, with decision scheduled for 23 January.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former solicitor appeals 12-month jail sentence for stealing €260k from clients. Charges or matters: one count of stealing €260,000 between February 21, 2008 and January 27, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• February 21, 2008 Incident
• January 27, 2011 Incident
• December 8 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 23 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2008 and 2011 Incident
• 2017-01-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft

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Read the original CNI report