Courts / Wicklow / Report

Disgraced solicitor Lynn must provide financial statement for legal aid

Date
2024-04-12
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Redcross
County
Wicklow

Summary

In a Court of Appeal hearing on 12 April 2024, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, was granted a change of legal representation to John P O'Donohoe but the court reserved its decision on legal aid pending a statement of his financial means to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Lynn, who is serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence for stealing just over €18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, must provide this statement before legal aid for his appeal can be granted. The court noted that if any issue arises, it should be notified. Lynn was found guilty of 10 of 21 counts of theft in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial last year; the remaining 11 counts were dropped after the jury could not agree. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Disgraced solicitor Lynn must provide financial statement for legal aid. Charges or matters: stealing just over €18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, is serving a five-and-a-half year prison sentence; 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007, when he was working as a solicitor and property developer; the 10 counts just before Christmas; stealing from were National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Case subjects

Michael Lynn

Appellant

Charges: stealing just over €18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, is serving a five-and-a-half year prison sentence; 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007, when he was working as a solicitor and property developer; the 10 counts just before Christmas; stealing from were National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Former solicitor Lynn, who was found guilty of stealing just over €18 million from six financial institutions during the Celtic Tiger era, is serving a five-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft

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