Courts / Dublin / Report

Former barrister stole €235k from businessman

Summary

Patrick Russell, aged 56, pleaded guilty to stealing €235,000 from businessman Paul O'Connell by posing as an arbitrator and financial consultant. Russell promised to facilitate the purchase of a commercial warehouse for €235,000, but the property was never bought. He obtained €15,000 and €5,000 from O'Connell's bank account, transferred them to a UK account and to an account in his wife's name, claiming they were for stamp duty and fees. O'Connell then paid an additional €215,000 to solicitors who later reported Russell to Gardaí. Russell presented forged documents from the Property Registration Authority to mislead O'Connell and his family. He has nine prior minor traffic convictions, denied theft initially, and pleaded guilty in March. The court adjourned sentencing to November 4, ordered a probation report, and noted Russell's health issues and potential UK employment to repay the remaining €20,000.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former barrister stole €235k from businessman. Charges or matters: the theft of €215,000 from businessman Paul O'Connell at Anglesea Street, Temple Bar in Dublin on July 23, 2015; theft in March of this year. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 23, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 4 Adjournment
• 2019-06-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report