Courts / Wicklow / Report

'I did not steal a penny from the banks,' Michael Lynn tells trial

Summary

During his trial for 21 counts of theft, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 53, denied stealing any money from Irish banks. He claimed the alleged €27 million theft was incorrect and that he had not forged or misrepresented any undertakings. Lynn said he had a long history of lending with the banks and that they were aware of his intended use of the loans. He argued that the banks' different system of undertakings was not a factor in any alleged fraud. Lynn also stated he had served five years in prison in Brazil and was fighting the charges because he believed the banks knew what was happening. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Lynn was not legally obliged to remain in Ireland when he travelled abroad. The trial continues. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I did not steal a penny from the banks,' Michael Lynn tells trial. 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
• 2022-05-18 Publication

Why: Mr McGrath put it to him that the only reason he didn't defraud Anglo Irish Bank was because they had a different system of undertakings for loans, stating "they were lucky not to be defrauded". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial Theft

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Read the original CNI report