Courts / Dublin / Report

Bank worker denies account of €500k payment authorisation with ex-rugby star is 'fiction'

Date
2024-10-25

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During a theft trial, Bank of Ireland Private Bank client services director Nicola Johnston testified that former rugby international Brendan Mullin, then managing director, approached her in July 2011 and asked her to sign a €500,000 payment authorisation to Northern Trust in France, referencing a company called Spice Holdings. Johnston said she had no supporting documents and was told by Mullin that she need not know details, so she signed. She later cancelled the authorisation the next morning and informed Mullin, who did not return. Johnston raised the issue with senior bank officials, but the only evidence of the transaction came from a December 2011 compliance sign‑off. Defence counsel argued Johnston's account was fictional, citing a note from finance officer Kim Lloyd that Mullin had counter‑signed the authorisation earlier that day. Mullin denies all 15 charges, including the €500,000 theft, and has pleaded not guilty to related counts of deception and false accounting. The trial continues.