Courts / Wicklow / Report

Michael Lynn tells trial he saw beheading of Brazilian prisoner

Date
2022-05-12

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

During his trial for a €27 million theft case, 53‑year‑old former solicitor Michael Lynn described his experience in a Brazilian prison where he was held awaiting extradition. He said the jail was next to a large dump, that inmates ran the facility, and that there were 1,800 prisoners and only 10 guards. Lynn recounted being moved to a section for educated inmates, where some were given guns and large swords. He claimed to have witnessed violence, including the beheading of a young man who was gay, and described the environment as "like something from Game of Thrones." Lynn also explained that he had been arrested in Recife in August 2013, had resisted extradition to allow his wife to give birth, and that conjugal visits were permitted in the prison. The trial continues. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Michael Lynn tells trial he saw beheading of Brazilian prisoner. Charges or matters: 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 2013 Incident
October 23, 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
April 20, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-05-12 Publication

Why: He told the court he had first gone to Brazil in 2005 because there was a "natural business connection between Brazil and Portugal". CNI source report