Byrne cries as he thanks clients for being ‘fair’

Former solicitor Thomas Byrne broke down in tears as he thanked his past clients and alleged victims for the “fair evidence” they gave in his trial and for “not going to town on me”.

On his third day of cross-examination during his €52m theft and fraud trial, Mr Byrne agreed with Remy Farrell, prosecuting, that it was “a striking feature” of his evidence that he “spoke with genuine affection” for his former clients.

Mr Byrne said he couldn’t comment on a suggestion from Mr Farrell they seemed to have “a residual affection for you” before starting to cry in the witness box.