Former FF councillor jailed for theft

Financial adviser Gary O’Flynn was jailed for three years — with the last two years suspended on his undertaking never to apply for a certificate to act as a solicitor.

The former Fianna Fáil councillor was jailed after a jury convicted him of stealing more than €6,000 from Eric Higgins — the man who turned to him for help dealing with serious debts.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “[Mr Higgins] was up to his oxters in debt and he was in despair. He went to you [O’Flynn] and he relied on you. It is not the money, it is the breach. The shock [of Mr Higgins] was visible in the witness box. It is visible today.”