A former solicitor has been jailed for 12 years for stealing €52 million from the banks and defrauding 13 clients out of their houses or money.
Thomas Byrne was sentenced today, following a 27 days trial which concluded two weeks ago.
It is the largest theft case to come before the courts in the history of the State.
Judge Patrick McCartan wished Byrne “good luck” at the conclusion of the hearing.
Byrne (47) of Mountjoy Square, was accused of theft and fraud offences totalling €51.8 million.
The charges alleged Byrne transferred clients’ homes into his name and then used them as collateral for property loans.
He was also accused of using invalid collateral to fraudulently borrow millions from six financial institutions.
He had pleaded not guilty to 50 counts of theft, forgery, using forged documents and deception between 2004 and 2007.
