Courts / Dublin / Report
Disgraced CHC boss fails in appeal as court finds he must 'pay his debt to society'
Summary
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 7 April 2025, Judge John Edwards upheld the six‑year‑ten‑month jail sentence imposed on Harry Cassidy, former Custom House Capital boss, for a €61 million conspiracy to defraud investors. The court rejected Cassidy's claim that his motive was to borrow "from Peter to pay Paul" and found no credibility in his argument that the offence was not solely for personal gain. The offences, committed between 1 October 2008 and 15 July 2011, involved misleading investors and clients about the placement of their assets, contrary to common law. The court described the conduct as "truly egregious" and an abuse of trust, especially towards elderly clients. Harry Cassidy pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Disgraced CHC boss fails in appeal as court finds he must 'pay his debt to society'. Charges or matters: conspiring with others to defraud investors in, and clients and customers of, CHC by intentionally misleading them as to where and/or how their assets had been placed, contrary to common law. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 2023 Other
- 1 October 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- 15 July 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-04-07 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: conspiring with others to defraud investors in, and clients and customers of, CHC by intentionally misleading them as to where and/or how their assets had been placed, contrary to common law (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Cassidy, with an address at Clon Brugh, Aitkens Village, Stepaside, Dublin, is serving a six year and 10-month sentence imposed in May 2023 after he pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to defraud investors in, and clients and customers of, CHC by intentionally misleading them as to where and/or how their assets had been placed, contrary to common law. Cassidy "was a professional man who well knew the standards of behaviour expected of him", the court held, adding that the need to maintain public confidence in the investment sector made general deterrence an "incontestable" requirement in passing sentence.
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