U2 bass player Adam Clayton is expected to take the stand today in the trial of his former PA and housekeeper, who is accused of stealing almost €3 million from him.
Carol Hawkins (48) of Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 181 counts of theft from two of Mr Clayton’s Bank of Ireland accounts.
Mr Clayton’s solicitor told the trial yesterday he may have advised a personal assistant of the musician to seek legal advice over suspicions she had been stealing from him.
Philip Lee said he recovered a laptop from her home after Mr Clayton made him aware of concerns over financial and confidentiality matters.
Mr Lee agreed with defence counsel Ken Fogarty SC, that Ms Hawkins was “saddened” when he visited her. She had told him her husband John had left her and he had little contact with their children.
He said she indicated that he had left her without any support and when she expressed concern about debts and rent, he suggested she go to a counsellor.
He told defence counsel he “may have” told Ms Hawkins to get a solicitor in view of the suspicion over the missing €90,000.