Courts / Wicklow / Report
Disgraced former solicitor Michael Lynn fails to have prison sentence reduced
Summary
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged 56, was sentenced to five‑and‑a‑half years in prison for stealing €18.1 million from six banks during the Celtic Tiger era. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the sentence but reduced the credit for time served in Ireland by three months, leaving a final term of five years and nine months to run concurrently from 20 December 2023. Edwards noted Lynn's crimes were "cynical, knowingly and intentionally" and that his professional status was abused. He found no evidence of sincere remorse or a guilty plea, and criticised Lynn for relocating to Brazil to avoid extradition. The appeal rejected arguments that mitigating factors, including PTSD and asset recovery, had been insufficiently considered. The sentence remains unchanged if the full three‑month credit is applied.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Disgraced former solicitor Michael Lynn fails to have prison sentence reduced. Charges or matters: theft contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud offences), but he was found guilty by a jury of ten of the 21 theft counts against him following a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial after the jury in his first trial in 2022 failed to reach a verdict. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 20, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-05-13 Publication
Why: He said Lynn had displayed "arrogance" and "hubris", traces of which were evident "even to this day" in the way in which he had met this case and the suggestion that because the victims were institutions rather than individuals who may have been insured against theft and fraud, the harm done by him was somehow "less significant". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: theft contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud offences), but he was found guilty by a jury of ten of the 21 theft counts against him following a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial after the jury in his first trial in 2022 failed to reach a verdict (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Lynn was jailed for obtaining multiple mortgages on the same properties in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance. The former solicitor was originally sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to five and a half years in prison having been convicted of stealing €18.1 million from six financial institutions.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Brazilian prison
- Irish prison
Topics
Related court reports
- Disgraced ex-solicitor Michael Lynn's appeal to go to Supreme Court
- Disgraced former solicitor Lynn could be released from prison next month if appeal succeeds, lawyers say
- Disgraced former solicitor Lynn gets legal aid for appeal after telling court 'he has no means'
- Disgraced solicitor Lynn brings High court challenge over legal costs refusal
- DPP investigating if millions in assets linked to disgraced solicitor Lynn are benefits of crime
- Disgraced solicitor Lynn must provide financial statement for legal aid
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