Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Photocall Ireland
Fraud
Thomas Byrne to be sentenced this afternoon
The 47-year-old was found guilty in the State’s biggest fraud trial last month.
Updated 1.50pm
FORMER SOLICITOR THOMAS Byrne is to be sentenced this afternoon for 50 convictions including fraud, theft and deception.
The 47-year-old pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury in the country’s largest-ever fraud trial last month.
This morning, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard a summation of the evidence from Detective Sgt. Paschal Walsh on the litany of offences committed by Byrne.
The evidence showed how Byrne fraudulently obtained properties from clients and associates and used them to secure loans totaling in excess of €50 million.
The 18 separate loan applications from various financial institutions ranged in value from €1 million to €9 million.
In falsely claiming ownership of the properties, Byrne falsified signatures in a number of cases, including those of at least two elderly women known to him.
The offences occurred between dates in September 2004 and 2007 when Byrne was solicitor based in Walkinstown.
Following the summation, Judge Patrick McCartan praised investigating gardaí for the way they presented the evidence in the six-week long trial.
“In particular the way you marshalled the evidence to be understood for everyone, including myself but especially the jury,” he told the court.
Sentencing will conclude this afternoon, with the charges of forgery carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years, fraud 10 years and theft five years.
Byrne’s actions came to light when one of his employees reported him to the Law Society for forging her name to borrow money.
Reporting by Rónán Duffy; first published 7.15am
have your say