McDowell spoke at Byrne Christmas party, trial told

The then minister for justice Michael McDowell was a guest speaker at Thomas Byrne’s Christmas Party in the Four Seasons, the trial of the former solicitor has heard.

The trial also heard how Mr Byrne was introduced to former Irish Nationwide Building Society chief executive Michael Fingleton in Croke Park before the finalisation of a €4.5m loan.

Mr Byrne, aged 47, of Walkinstown Road, Crumlin is accused of theft and fraud offences totalling €51.8m. The charges allege he transferred his clients’ homes into his name and then used them as collateral for property loans.