Courts / Galway / Report

Former solicitor to be jailed over €1m 'secret account'

Summary

Michael Small, a 56‑year‑old former solicitor from Galway, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for deception and false accounting offences that occurred between 2008 and 2009. While practising in Limerick, Small gave undertakings to a mortgage lender that the loan proceeds would be used to purchase specific properties. The money was drawn into an account, but the properties were never bought. Small admitted the money was dispersed to clients, mortgage brokers and other parties, and that he had misled his accountant. He pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators. The court noted that although Small did not receive a large personal benefit – €88,000 was attributed to him – he was the principal cause of the offences. The judge accepted his guilty pleas and cooperation, and ordered the sentence to be adjourned for custody. The case was investigated by the Law Society and Gardaí after Small self‑reported a "secret client account.".

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former solicitor to be jailed over €1m 'secret account'. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 2008 and 2009 Other
• 2023-03-27 Publication

Why: She agreed Small's family had sold a house in order to help with the recompensing of injured parties. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report