Courts / Dublin / Report
William Kiely jailed for six years over €2m investor fraud
Summary
William Kiely, aged 52, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of dishonestly appropriating money from Barrington Capital Ltd's accounts between 2007 and 2010. The court found that he had transferred about €2 million of investors' funds into unauthorised stock‑market trades, losing roughly $1.47 million USD and €700,000 in the process. Kiely also pleaded guilty to operating the company with intent to defraud creditors from July 2008 to February 2010 and to falsifying a financial statement on 12 March 2010. He had set up Barrington Capital as a legitimate investment vehicle to buy U.S. commercial property, but after the 2008 crash he diverted the money to the stock market and used it for lifestyle expenses and personal payments. No investors received any restitution, and the court noted the significant financial and emotional harm suffered by the victims. Kiely is also disqualified from serving as a company director for five years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: William Kiely jailed for six years over €2m investor fraud. Charges or matters: knowingly carrying on the business of a company, Barrington Capital Limited, with intent to defraud creditors between July 2008 and February 2010; falsifying a financial statement on March 12, 2010, has no previous convictions. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 12, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2007 and 2010 Other
- 2011 and 2012 Incident
- 2016 and 2021 Other
- 2025-04-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: knowingly carrying on the business of a company, Barrington Capital Limited, with intent to defraud creditors between July 2008 and February 2010; falsifying a financial statement on March 12, 2010, has no previous convictions (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Kiely was handed a six-year sentence and has also been automatically disqualified from serving as a director of a company for five years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Fraud Road Traffic Stage Sentence
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request