Courts / Wicklow / Report

Michael Lynn tells trial he wasn't putting together 'witch's brew'

Date
2022-05-09

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

During a multi‑million euro theft trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 53, testified that he had obtained permission from banks to use mortgage loan money for property developments abroad. He claimed the banks understood the funds were to purchase specific sites and repay the loans, and that similar arrangements dated back to 2003 with the Bank of Ireland. Lynn said he had emailed bankers about these arrangements, but no copies of the emails remain. He was accused of stealing about €27 million from seven financial institutions and pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft between October 2006 and April 2007. The prosecution alleges he secured multiple mortgages on the same properties without the banks' knowledge of other lenders. Lynn maintained that he conducted all business via a Kendar email address and that the banks facilitated his transactions. The trial is ongoing before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Michael Lynn tells trial he wasn't putting together 'witch's brew'. Charges or matters: 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 23, 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
April 20, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
October 2007 Other
2022-05-09 Publication

Why: "For them now to turn around and say I somehow misled them with my statement of affairs, that I duped them – the ICB check was their security system and I didn't interfere with that because I couldn't. CNI source report