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. 7187Theft · Co. Dublin

Michael Lynn trial hears €4.1m Howth loan was for development, not a home

Michael Lynn, a 55-year-old man and former solicitor, is on trial in Dublin accused of stealing around €27 million from seven financial institutions. The prosecution says the alleged thefts took place between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007, and that he obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties. The defence says Lynn kept up repayments until the Law Society intervened in October 2007 and his accounts were frozen. At trial, which heard evidence in November 2023, Lynn pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft, and the trial is continuing before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The prosecution says Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties while banks were unaware other institutions were also providing finance.
  • Lynn is on trial accused of stealing around €27 million from seven financial institutions.
Where
The theft counts relate to offences in Dublin.
When
The alleged thefts took place between October 23, 2006 and April 20, 2007.
Other details
  • The financial institutions named are Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society.
  • The defence said Lynn made repayments on these and other loans until the Law Society intervened in October 2007 and his accounts were frozen.
Charges
Lynn has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft.
In court
  • A €4.1 million loan for Glenlion House in Howth was described in court as never a home loan, and the site had been surveyed for potential development.
  • Mark Mulcahy agreed that Irish Nationwide Building Society wrote off the loans as unrecoverable debt after finding they were not secured in its favour.
  • Orla Deignan said she would not have recommended the application had she known it was for anything other than four apartments or for properties abroad.
  • The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe prosecution says Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, while banks were unaware other institutions were also providing finance. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe financial institutions involved are Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe theft counts relate to offences in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged thefts were between October 23rd, 2006 and April 20th, 2007. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLynn is on trial accused of stealing around €27 million from seven financial institutions. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLynn has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA €4.1 million loan for Glenlion House in Howth was told to be never a home loan, and the site had been surveyed for potential development. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMark Mulcahy agreed that the Irish Nationwide Building Society wrote off the loans as unrecoverable debt after it was discovered they were not secured in its favour. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtOrla Deignan said she would not have recommended the application had she known it was for anything other than four apartments or for properties abroad. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said Lynn had been making repayments on these and other loans until the Law Society intervened in October 2007 and his accounts were frozen. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Nov2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Trial of Michael Lynn told loan for house believed to be prospective residence was actually for development

    Trial report covering evidence from former Irish Nationwide Building Society manager Mark Mulcahy and former National Irish Bank assistant manager Orla Deignan, including the cross-examination over the Glenlion House loan. The trial continues before a jury.

    accused, Michael Lynn, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Lynn