Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 14054Fraud · Co. Dublin

Financial advisor jailed for six years over €2m investor losses

A financial advisor lost around €2 million of property investors' funds through unauthorised stock market transactions between 2007 and 2010, with offending in Dublin. William Kiely, a 52-year-old man from Dartry, Dublin 6, set up Barrington Capital Ltd to buy US commercial property, but after the 2008 crash he did not return the money and used some of it without investor authorisation. During his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he changed his plea to guilty on three counts of dishonestly appropriating money, one count of knowingly carrying on the company's business with intent to defraud creditors, and one count of falsifying a financial statement. On 4 April 2025 he was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and automatically disqualified from serving as a company director for five years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A financial advisor lost around €2 million of property investors' funds in unauthorised stock market transactions.
  • The sums involved were US$1.47 million and around €700,000.
  • Kiely set up Barrington Capital Ltd as a legitimate investment vehicle to buy commercial property in the US.
Cause
After the 2008 financial crash, Kiely did not return the intended property money and used some of it without investor authorisation on the stock market.
When
The offending took place between 2007 and 2010.
Where
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Charges
  • Kiely pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly appropriating money from the accounts of Barrington Capital Ltd between 2007 and 2010.
  • Kiely pleaded guilty to knowingly carrying on the business of Barrington Capital Limited with intent to defraud creditors between July 2008 and February 2010.
  • Kiely pleaded guilty to falsifying a financial statement on 12 March 2010.
In court
  • Kiely changed his plea to guilty on the 21st day of his trial.
  • Judge Elma Sheahan said Kiely had a high degree of culpability and that the harm to the injured parties was significant.
Sentence
  • Kiely was sentenced to six years' imprisonment on 4 April 2025 and automatically disqualified from serving as a company director for five years.
  • The judge said the number of investors, their financial losses, the impact on them and the period of offending were aggravating factors.
Other details
  • Kiely, 52, is of Richmond Avenue, Dartry, Dublin 6, and has no previous convictions.
  • Defence counsel said Kiely was of previous good character and that his guilty pleas acknowledged responsibility.
  • Kiely is originally from Co Tipperary and is caring for his mother, who has vascular dementia.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA financial advisor lost around €2 million of property investors' funds in unauthorised stock market transactions. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe theft involved $1.47m US dollars and around €700,000. (rte.ie)
  • whatKiely set up Barrington Capital Ltd as a legitimate investment vehicle to buy commercial property in the US. (rte.ie)
  • whatNone of the affected investors have received any money back. (rte.ie)
  • causeAfter the 2008 crash, Kiely did not return the intended property money and used some of it without investor authorisation on the stock market. (rte.ie)
  • chargeKiely pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly appropriating money from the accounts of Barrington Capital Ltd between 2007 and 2010. (rte.ie)
  • chargeKiely pleaded guilty to knowingly carrying on the business of Barrington Capital Limited with intent to defraud creditors between July 2008 and February 2010. (rte.ie)
  • chargeKiely pleaded guilty to falsifying a financial statement on 12 March 2010. (rte.ie)
  • courtWilliam Kiely, 52, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Elma Sheahan said Kiely had a high degree of culpability and that the harm to the injured parties was significant. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceKiely was sentenced to six years and automatically disqualified from serving as a company director for five years. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the number of investors, their financial losses, the impact on them and the period of offending were aggravating factors. (rte.ie)
  • otherKiely has no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said Kiely was of previous good character and his guilty pleas acknowledged responsibility. (rte.ie)
  • otherKiely is originally from Co Tipperary and is caring for his mother, who has vascular dementia. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Apr2025
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Advisor who lost around €2m of investors' funds jailed

    Reports the sentencing of William Kiely after his guilty pleas: six years' imprisonment and a five-year director disqualification. No existing case matched.

    convicted, William Kiely, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Kielyvictim