Courts / Meath / Report
Former solicitor admits to €2.8 million theft
Summary
Ruairi O Ceallaigh, aged 42, pleaded guilty to stealing nearly €3m from his family‑run law firm, Sean O Ceallaigh & Company, in Dublin. He was arrested by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and charged with seven offences under the Theft and Fraud Act. The charges cover a four‑year period of misappropriation, including €1,551,366 between September 2008 and November 2008, and additional sums of €134,831, €151,078, €250,000, €509,646, €75,000 and €144,644 from client accounts. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed a trial on indictment, so the case will be heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O Ceallaigh appeared at Dublin District Court, accepted the signed plea, and was remanded on continuing bail with his father acting as surety. He will face sentencing at the Circuit Court on 7 February. The court noted that a book of evidence was not required for the signed plea. The case remains at the indictment stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former solicitor admits to €2.8 million theft. Charges or matters: dishonestly appropriating: €134,831 on March 12, 2009; €151,078 on June 27, 2009; €250,000 on July 18, 2006; €509,646 between October 22, 2009 and May 28 the following year; €75,000 on October 22, 2009 and €144,644 between August 27 and September 30, 2009. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- February 7 Adjournment
- September 30 Other
- November 27, 2008 Other
- March 12, 2009 Other
- June 27, 2009 Other
- July 18, 2006 Other
- October 22, 2009 Other
- May 28 Other
- August 27 Other
- September 30, 2009 Other
- 2014-01-16 Publication
Why: Judge Patricia McNamara was told that a book of evidence did not need to be served because Mr O Ceallaigh's case would be going forward on a "signed plea" which was handed in to the court. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: dishonestly appropriating: €134,831 on March 12, 2009; €151,078 on June 27, 2009; €250,000 on July 18, 2006; €509,646 between October 22, 2009 and May 28 the following year; €75,000 on October 22, 2009 and €144,644 between August 27 and September 30, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Dressed in a dark suit,light blue shirt and striped tie, he was remanded on continuing bail and his father also told Judge McNamara that he would continue to act as his son's surety.
Places mentioned
Topics
Fraud Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft
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