Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury fails to reach verdict in Custom House Capital fraud conspiracy trial

Date
2023-03-01
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court could not reach a verdict on the case of Ciara Kelleher, a former financial services manager accused of conspiring to defraud investors in Custom House Capital Ltd. The trial, which lasted over 15 hours across five days, focused on allegations that Kelleher, aged 51, helped conceal the true location of client money by issuing incorrect valuations between October 2008 and July 2011. The prosecution, led by Lorcan Staines SC, presented evidence that the firm's CEO and finance head used client funds for property investments and that Kelleher was aware of these misappropriations. Kelleher denied wrongdoing, claiming she was unaware of any fraudulent activity. The judge, Orla Crowe, accepted that the jury could not agree on a verdict and remanded Kelleher on continuing bail, with the case scheduled for mention on 8 March. The trial highlighted the firm's liquidation in 2011 and the regulatory concerns that had been raised in 2009. Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty. Custom House Capital pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury fails to reach verdict in Custom House Capital fraud conspiracy trial. Charges or matters: one count of conspiring with others to defraud investors, clients and customers of Custom House Capital Ltd by intentionally misleading them as to where or how their assets had been placed in the investment firm. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Ciara Kelleher

Defendant

Charges: one count of conspiring with others to defraud investors, clients and customers of Custom House Capital Ltd by intentionally misleading them as to where or how their assets had been placed in the investment firm (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: She adjourned the case to March 8 for mention and remanded Ms Kelleher on continuing bail.

Custom House Capital

Defendant

Charges: one count of conspiring with others to defraud investors, clients and customers of Custom House Capital Ltd by intentionally misleading them as to where or how their assets had been placed in the investment firm (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: She adjourned the case to March 8 for mention and remanded Ms Kelleher on continuing bail.

Places mentioned

Facility
  • Custom House
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • High Court

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial

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