Courts / Wicklow / Report

Michael Lynn told bank manager he intended to stay in Ireland, trial hears

Date
2022-03-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

During a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, former solicitor Michael Lynn (53) denied 21 theft counts, claiming he intended to stay in Ireland to address the allegations. Prosecutor John Berry presented evidence that Lynn had secured multiple mortgages on the same properties from seven banks without their knowledge of other lenders. Thomas Brennan, a senior manager at Bank of Scotland Ireland, testified that Lynn had approached the bank in 2006 with a proposal to purchase ten investment properties, seeking 70% financing. Over a three‑month period in 2007, Lynn obtained ten loans. In October 2007, newspaper reports about Lynn's business prompted a meeting where Lynn asserted his intention to remain available to bankers to resolve the issues. The bank subsequently reviewed Lynn's affairs, discovering that nine of the ten properties were already secured by other banks, including Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Michael Lynn told bank manager he intended to stay in Ireland, trial hears. Charges or matters: 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007. Procedural stage: trial

When: