A solicitor has been struck off after the High Court heard he used funds from one client to pay money due to a man who threatened him with a knife.
It was claimed at a hearing earlier this month that William Davis, of William J Davis and Co Solicitors, Herbert Street, Dublin, was in fear for his life from two people who had links to other “notorious” individuals. Mr Davis opposed a Law Society attempt to have him struck off over an alleged deficit of €250,000 in his client account mostly arising from house sale money taken in for one client but paid out to two other clients, including the man who threatened him.
The case was heard in open court until the evidence of the threats, when Mr Justice Richard Johnson agreed it should be in camera. The in camera ruling on reportage was lifted.