Courts / Wicklow / Report

Michael Lynn tells trial he was 'requested' to move abroad during 'financial tornado'

Date
2023-12-13

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Redcross

County
Wicklow

Summary

During his multi‑million euro theft trial, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, explained that a High Court order on 15 October 2007 froze his accounts and suspended him as a solicitor. He said he was asked to relocate abroad to "batten down the hatches" amid the 2008 financial crisis. Lynn moved first to London, then Portugal, and later to Brazil in 2011, where he taught English and sought opportunities. He denied evading Gardaí between 2008 and 2011, claiming he had followed legal advice and informed authorities of his whereabouts. Lynn was arrested in August 2013 and spent four and a half years in Brazilian prison before returning to Ireland in March 2018. He is on trial for 21 counts of theft, accused of stealing about €27 million from seven Irish financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. The trial is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Michael Lynn tells trial he was 'requested' to move abroad during 'financial tornado'. Charges or matters: 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 15, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
December 12, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
August 2013 Incident
March 2018 Incident
October 23, 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
April 20, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2007 Other
April 2007 Other
2008 and 2011 Other
2023-12-13 Publication

Why: He said he couldn't return to the office of his legal practice because of the court order and because the locks had been changed by his solicitor in conjunction with the Law Society. CNI source report