Courts / Kildare / Report
Letters to DPP claimed State was trying to "nail" fugitive solicitor
Summary
In a Court of Appeal hearing, letters sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on behalf of struck‑off solicitor Michael Lynn (50) alleged that the State was trying to "nail" him, calling him an "innocent man" and accusing the DPP of "robust bloodlust." Lynn, who has been extradited from Brazil after spending four‑and‑a‑half years in a Brazilian prison, faces 21 counts of theft totalling almost €30 million from seven financial institutions, including €4.1 million from Irish Nationwide and €3.6 million from Ulster Bank. His lawyers challenged assurances that time served in Brazil would be deducted from any Irish sentence, arguing the DPP's statements could impinge on the separation of powers. The Court of Appeal reserved judgment, noting the letters were "intemperate" and that the case was "moot" or "un‑stateable" according to the DPP's counsel. The appeal may affect Lynn's upcoming trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Letters to DPP claimed State was trying to "nail" fugitive solicitor. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 4, 2007 Adjournment
- October 20, 2006 Adjournment
- 2019-04-30 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: Ahead of his extradition, Brazilian authorities sought assurances from Ireland that any time Mr Lynn spent in prison awaiting extradition would be deducted from any potential prison sentence here, and that he would not serve more than 30 years in prison here, if found guilty. He further submitted that Mr Lynn could, "in theory", receive "21 consecutive sentences" if found guilty, leaving him with a sentence in excess of 30 years.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Irish High Court
- The High Court
- Cotel prison
Topics
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