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. 5892Theft (multiple mortgages on the same properties)

Michael Lynn challenges Department over refusal to pay trial costs

Former solicitor Michael Lynn was found guilty of stealing €17.9 million from six financial institutions by taking out multiple mortgages on the same properties. The first trial in 2022 ended with the jury failing to reach a verdict, and the case was retried. Lynn is serving a five and a half year sentence at Mountjoy Prison. In May 2024 he brought a High Court challenge against the Department of Justice's refusal to pay his solicitors for reviewing disclosure material, which he says breaches his right to a fair trial and his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. Ms Justice Niamh Hyland granted permission, ex parte, to bring the challenge, and the matter will return before the court next month.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Lynn was found guilty of stealing €17.9 million from six financial institutions by taking out multiple mortgages on the same properties.
When
  • The first trial in 2022 ended with the jury failing to reach a verdict, and the case was retried.
  • The article dated 13 May 2024 describes the guilty verdict as having been given earlier that year.
Where
  • Lynn is serving his sentence at Mountjoy Prison.
  • Lynn's address is given as Redcross, Co Wicklow.
Sentence
Lynn is serving a five and a half year sentence.
In court
  • Ms Justice Niamh Hyland granted Lynn's lawyers permission, ex parte, to bring the High Court challenge.
  • The matter will return before the court next month.
Other details
  • Lynn challenges the Department of Justice's refusal to pay his solicitors for reviewing disclosure material during his trial.
  • Lynn's solicitors reviewed thousands of pages of documents during the trial.
  • Lynn claims the refusal breaches his constitutional right to a fair trial and his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Investigation
The review of disclosure material is estimated to have taken some 150,000 hours.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • courtLynn was found guilty earlier this year of stealing €17.9 million from six financial institutions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Niamh Hyland granted Lynn's lawyers permission, ex parte, to bring the challenge. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter will return before the court next month. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceLynn is serving a five and a half year sentence at Mountjoy Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichael Lynn has brought a High Court challenge against the Department of Justice's refusal to pay his lawyers for works in his criminal trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLynn claims the refusal breaches his constitutional right to a fair trial and his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe review of disclosure material is estimated to have taken some 150,000 hours. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 May2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Michael Lynn challenges Department over refusal to pay certain costs during criminal trial

    Article covers a High Court judicial review by the convicted man over refusal to pay trial costs. It adds that he is serving a sentence and that the case returns to court next month.

    convicted, Michael Lynn, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Lynn