Courts / Dublin / Report

Former rugby star said it was 'not accurate' he'd indicated bank would pay legal fees

Date
2024-10-22
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former Ireland rugby international Brendan Mullin, aged 60, denied 15 charges of theft and fraud involving over €570,000 from Bank of Ireland Private Bank. Mullin testified that he had always borne personal responsibility for his legal fees and that he had not indicated the bank would pay any portion. He argued that statements suggesting the bank would cover part of his costs were inaccurate and unfair. Mullin's solicitor, Roddy Bourke, confirmed that the bank had indeed provided assistance with legal fees, but Mullin maintained he had not authorized such arrangements. The court heard evidence of Mullin's meetings with Bourke in April 2013, his claims of not seeing the bank's memorandum, and the bank's subsequent inquiries into invoicing. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury hearing the case.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former rugby star said it was 'not accurate' he'd indicated bank would pay legal fees. Charges or matters: one count of stealing €500,000 from Bank of Ireland (BOI) Private Bank, Mespil Road, Dublin 4 on December 16, 2011, along with eight other counts of stealing various amounts of money amounting to just over €73,000 from the bank on various dates; one count of deception and five counts of false accounting. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Brendan Mullin

Accused

Charges: one count of stealing €500,000 from Bank of Ireland (BOI) Private Bank, Mespil Road, Dublin 4 on December 16, 2011, along with eight other counts of stealing various amounts of money amounting to just over €73,000 from the bank on various dates; one count of deception and five counts of false accounting (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: The court heard Mr Mullin's only concern with the response was one sentence which stated: 'It was our understanding from Mr Mullin that the bank would pay a portion of his legal fees.' "He told you that you had known he had indicated from the start that he had set aside the required fees," Mr McGinn said.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Mespil Road
Secondary Mention

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence Theft

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