Wednesday 28 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. 4939Theft, deception and false accounting · Co. Dublin · 16 Dec 2011

Former Bank of Ireland executive's trial hears evidence on his resignation

Brendan Mullin, 60, a former rugby international and former managing director of Bank of Ireland Private Bank on Mespil Road, Dublin, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 15 counts of theft, deception and false accounting, which are alleged to have occurred between July 2011 and March 2013. The prosecution alleges he stole more than €500,000 from the bank, while another report puts the figure at more than €570,000, and Mullin, of Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, denies all the charges. He resigned in July 2013 after an internal review, and was arrested and charged in September 2021. The first jury was discharged on October 14, 2024, a new jury was due to be empanelled the next day, and the trial began on October 15 before Judge Martin Nolan. The latest development, reported on October 16, 2024, is evidence from Liam McLoughlin, who agreed that Mullin had no option but to resign, and the trial is estimated to run for four weeks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Oct
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Brendan Mullin is accused of stealing more than €500,000, with another report saying over €570,000, from Bank of Ireland Private Bank when he was its managing director.
Where
The alleged offences are said to have taken place at Bank of Ireland Private Bank, Mespil Road, Dublin 4.
When
The charges are alleged to have occurred between July 2011 and March 2013, with one count dated December 16, 2011.
Cause
  • Eight counts relate to alleged payments by the bank to McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors for work done for a company Mullin directed.
  • The prosecution says double payments of €500,000 went to the bank because of a miscommunication, and a July 2011 transfer of €500,000 to Spice Holdings was authorised by Mullin.
Investigation
  • The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau became involved, and Mullin was questioned and said the invoice payments arose from clerical mistakes.
  • Mullin was arrested and charged in September 2021.
Other details
  • In July 2015, about €500,000 was paid back to the bank indirectly from Quantum Investment Strategies, a company run by Mullin.
  • Liam McLoughlin said an issue involving Mullin was brought to his attention in March 2013, and he directed an internal review; he agreed Mullin had no option but to resign, and Mullin resigned in July 2013.
Charges
  • Mullin has pleaded not guilty to 15 charges: one of theft of €500,000, eight of theft of about €73,000 in total, one of deception and five of false accounting or furnishing false information to the bank.
  • Mullin is also charged with false accounting over invoices from McCann Fitzgerald and Beechwood Partners.
In court
  • The first jury was discharged on October 14, 2024, after a juror said they knew a relative of the accused, and Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case.
  • The trial got under way at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on October 15, 2024, and is estimated to run for four weeks.
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe jury in the trial of a former Irish rugby international was discharged. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA former Irish rugby international allegedly stole over €500,000 from Bank of Ireland Private Bank when he was its managing director. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMullin denies 15 theft, deception and false accounting charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe charges are alleged to have taken place at Bank of Ireland Private Bank, Mespil Road. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe charges are alleged to have occurred between July 2011 and March 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred between July 2011 and March 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeEight charges relate to alleged payments by the bank to McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors for work done for a company Mullin directed. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeA transfer was authorised by Mullin in July 2011 to pay €500,000 to Spice Holdings. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe prosecution says double payments of €500,000 went to the private bank because of a miscommunication. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda National Economic Crime Bureau became involved and Mullin was questioned. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMullin was arrested and charged in September 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationWhen questioned by gardaí, Mullin said the invoice payments arose out of clerical mistakes. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin has pleaded not guilty to 15 charges against him. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing €500,000 from Bank of Ireland Private Bank on December 16th, 2011, and to eight other counts of stealing various amounts on different dates. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin pleaded not guilty to one count of deception and five counts of furnishing false, misleading or deceptive information to the bank authorising payment of invoices. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing €500,000 from the bank on December 16th, 2011. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin pleaded not guilty to one count of deception and five counts of false accounting. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin has pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing €500,000 from Bank of Ireland Private Bank. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin has pleaded not guilty to eight other counts of stealing about €73,000 from the bank. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin has pleaded not guilty to one count of deception and five counts of false accounting. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMullin is also charged with false accounting over invoices from McCann Fitzgerald and Beechwood Partners. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was due to open on Monday but the jury was discharged instead. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Martin Nolan adjourned the case and a new jury is due to be empanelled on Tuesday morning. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial of Mullin got under way in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on a Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is estimated to run for four weeks and continues before Judge Martin Nolan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is being heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMullin is of Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMullin previously worked for Bank of Ireland Private Bank on Mespil Road. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prosecution described the case as one of financial dishonesty involving charges of theft, deception and false accounting. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn July 2015, about €500,000 was paid back to the bank indirectly from Quantum Investment Strategies, a company run by Mullin. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLiam McLoughlin said an issue involving Mullin was brought to his attention in March 2013 and he directed an internal review. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcLoughlin agreed that Mullin really had no option but to resign. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMullin resigned in July 2013. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Oct2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Brendan Mullin had ‘no option’ but to resign amid internal inquiry, court hears

    Adds evidence from Liam McLoughlin on the internal review and suspension, the prosecution's opening address, Mullin's pleas, and his explanation to gardaí of the payments.

    accused, Brendan Mullin, 60, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Mullin
  2. 15 Oct2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Former rugby international Brendan Mullin allegedly stole €500,000 from Bank of Ireland, trial hears

    Reports the opening of the jury trial, the prosecution's opening address and the charges Mullin denies. The case is not in the existing list.

    accused, Brendan Mullin, 60, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Mullin
  3. 14 Oct2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Jury discharged in Brendan Mullin fraud trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

    Reports that the jury was discharged on the opening day of the trial and that a new jury is due to be empanelled on Tuesday.

    accused, Brendan Mullin, 60, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Mullin