Once described as the "poster boy for the worst excesses of the Celtic Tiger", fraudster businessman Breifne O’Brien has been jailed for seven years for running a Ponzi scheme that cost his victims millions of euro.

The court heard that Breifne O’Brien’s deceptions first began to come to light when an allegation was made during civil proceedings in 2008 and Mr Justice Peter Kelly referred the matter to the Garda fraud squad.

Another bid by businessman Breifne O’Brien aimed at halting his trial for alleged offences including theft and deception has been rejected by the president of the High Court.