Michael Lynn retrial on theft charges set for October 2023

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

A retrial of former solicitor Michael Lynn on 21 theft charges was set for 16 October 2023 by Judge Martin Nolan. The proceedings were reported on 20 June 2022.

Lynn pleaded not guilty to the 21 counts, which concerned the alleged theft of about €27 million from seven banks in Dublin between 23 October 2006 and 20 April 2007.

His earlier trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court lasted four months. The jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict following 12 hours of deliberations. On 20 June 2022, prosecuting counsel John Berry said the Director of Public Prosecutions was seeking a retrial.

The prosecution case was that Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties without the banks knowing that other institutions were also providing finance.

Lynn testified that the banks knew he had multiple loans on the same properties and that this was custom and practice among bankers during the Celtic Tiger. He said he had secret deals with bankers who allowed him to use loan money for property developments abroad.