Former solicitor accused of thefts totalling €51m

A former solicitor who is now working as a waiter fraudulently transferred clients’ homes into his own name so he could secure millions of euro in mortgages against them, it has been alleged.

Thomas Byrne, 47, of Walkinstown Rd, Crumlin, has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of theft, forgery, using forged documents, and deception between 2004 and 2007. The charges relate to 12 properties and six banks and involves the alleged theft of €51.8m.

Yesterday, prosecuting counsel Remy Farrell SC told the jury that many of My Byrne’s clients were elderly women.