Ireland Gardaí investigating fraud allegation at former Leitrim solicitor's office
Gardaí are investigating a fraud allegation involving Orla Ellis, a former Leitrim solicitor who was struck off the Roll of Solicitors by the High Court in December 2023. The allegation concerns her former practice, Orla Ellis & Co, which operated in the North West Region, and a Law Society investigation found a client-account deficit of more than €566,000. Ellis is also facing civil proceedings from a former client in a probate matter, according to the Sunday Independent. As of 3 June 2025, gardaí have confirmed an active investigation and no arrest or charge has been reported, while the Law Society is still receiving client claims and has paid out more than €666,000 from its Compensation Fund.
- Reported3 Jun
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí are investigating a fraud allegation involving former Leitrim solicitor Orla Ellis.
- Where
- The allegation concerns her former practice, Orla Ellis & Co, which operated in the North West Region.
- When
- The High Court struck Ellis off the Roll of Solicitors in December 2023.
- The reports were published on 3 June 2025, and no incident date is given.
- Investigation
- Gardaí confirmed to the Leitrim Observer that a fraud allegation relating to a solicitor's office in the region is under active investigation.
- Cause
- A Law Society investigation found a deficit of more than €566,000 in client accounts.
- Other details
- Unpaid bequests from wills are understood to be among the matters involved.
- More than €666,000 has already been paid out by the Law Society's Compensation Fund.
- The Law Society is still receiving claims from former clients and cannot confirm a final figure.
- In court
- Ellis is facing civil proceedings from a former client in a probate matter, according to the Sunday Independent.
- Charges
- No arrest or charge has been reported in the articles.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí are investigating a fraud allegation involving former Leitrim solicitor Orla Ellis. (leitrimobserver.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe investigation concerns her former practice, Orla Ellis & Co, which operated in the North West Region. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whereThe investigation concerns Ellis's former practice, Orla Ellis & Co, which operated in the North West Region. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí confirmed a fraud allegation relating to a solicitor's office in the region is under active investigation. (leitrimobserver.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtEllis was struck off the Roll of Solicitors by the High Court in December 2023. (leitrimobserver.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherA Law Society investigation uncovered a deficit of more than €566,000 in client accounts. (leitrimobserver.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherUnpaid bequests from wills are understood to be among the matters involved. (leitrimobserver.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe Sunday Independent reported that Ellis is also facing civil proceedings from a former client in a probate matter. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherMore than €666,000 has already been paid out by the Law Society's Compensation Fund. (leitrimobserver.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe Law Society is continuing to receive claims from former clients and cannot confirm a final figure. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherEllis is facing civil proceedings from a former client in a probate matter. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe Law Society is still receiving claims from former clients and cannot confirm a final figure. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Jun2025Gardaí investigate fraud allegation at former Leitrim solicitor’s office
Reports that gardaí are investigating a fraud allegation linked to Orla Ellis & Co, with a client-account deficit of over €566,000, unpaid bequests among the matters involved, over €666,000 paid from the Law Society's Compensation Fund, and a civil claim against Ellis by a former client.
suspect, Orla Ellis, female, named, irish (judged from name)Orla Ellis - 3 Jun2025Gardaí investigate fraud allegation at former Leitrim solicitor’s office
Adds that gardaí have confirmed an active investigation, the Sunday Independent report, the High Court striking-off date, the reported unpaid bequests, a civil claim by a former client, and more than €666,000 paid from the Law Society's Compensation Fund.
suspect, Orla Ellis, named, irish (judged from name)Orla Ellis