Jacqueline Durcan’s client theft sentence cut to six months

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Jacqueline Durcan’s 12-month sentence for stealing €260,000 from clients was reduced to six months by the Court of Appeal on 23 January 2017.

She had pleaded guilty to stealing the money between February 2008 and January 2011 while running Durcan Solicitors in Castlebar, Co Mayo. The court said custody remained necessary, but held that a term shorter than 12 months was appropriate.

The appeal court considered her co-operation, early guilty plea, full reimbursement through the Solicitors’ Compensation Fund and the effect of imprisonment on her family. She had no previous convictions and had since been struck off as a solicitor.