A former solicitor charged with fraud and theft offences totalling more than €50 million has been granted extra legal aid to hire a forensic accountant as part of his defence.
Thomas Byrne (46) of Walkinstown Road, Crumlin, faces 52 charges relating to more than 20 residential properties and six banks, totalling more than €52 million.
Last year he was charged in the District Court with 21 charges of theft relating to mortgage funds, 14 charges relating to deeds of transfer and assignment on properties, nine charges of deception and eight charges of using false instruments.
All the offences allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2007, and all relate to residential properties on Dorset Street in Dublin, and in Crumlin, Clondalkin and south Dublin, and concern six banks: NIB, IIB, EBS, Irish Nationwide, Anglo Irish Bank and Bank of Scotland (Ireland).
Yesterday defence counsel Damien Colgan SC made the application at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and Judge Mary Ellen Ring extended Mr Byrne’s legal aid to cover the costs of the accountant and adjourned the matter for trial next October.
The case is expected to take three months.