The former personal assistant of Adam Clayton was served with a book of evidence today and sent forward for trial for allegedly embezzling millions of euros from the U2 bassist.
Carol Hawkins (47) with an address at Crannagh Rd, Rathfarnham, in Dublin, had been charged in January with 184 counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.
The charges relate to theft of varying sums of money, in their thousands, worth up to €3 million, from bank accounts in the name of Adam Clayton, on dates from 2005 until 2008.
She appeared at Dublin District Court today for a second time where Detective Sergeant Clodagh White, of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, served a book of evidence, which comprises three volumes, on Ms Hawkins.
State solicitor Joanne Gleeson told Judge Denis McLoughlin that that the
DPP consented to Ms Hawkins being returned for trial on indictment to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on all of the 184 charges.
An application for legal aid to be granted was made by Ms Hawkins solicitor.
However, Ms Gleeson for the State, said there was on objection. “Gardaí are of the view that the accused may have property or assets in her own name,” she submitted.
The court was furnished with a statement of the defendant’s means, however, the State said that time was needed to make enquiries in relation to the accused’s properties or assets.
Judge McLoughlin made an order sending Ms Hawkins forward for trial and said that the issue of whether legal aid would be granted could be dealt with at a later stage pending a Garda investigation of the statement of means.
Legal aid may be granted subsequently, he told Ms Hawkins.
He notified her that if she intended to use an alibi she must notify the State within 14 days. The judge then made an order sending her forward for trial at the present term of the Circuit Court.
Ms Hawkins, who was dressed in a black coat and trousers, spoke once during the case to confirm her signature on her bail bond.
She is on bail in her own bond of €500 with conditions and must notify the State if she intended to change her address, the court was told.