Former solicitor to go on trial tomorrow for theft and fraud

The trial is expected to begin tomorrow of a former solicitor charged with a large scale theft and fraud.

Thomas Byrne (aged 47) of Walkinstown Road, Crumlin faces 52 charges relating to more than 20 residential properties and six banks.

After a final pre-trial hearing today the case is now ready to proceed before a jury which will be sworn in at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks and will involve a large amount of evidence including 300 document exhibits for the jury to examine.

The court heard it is intended that these documents will be converted into digital form and presented to the jury on computer screens in the jury box. This will be the first time such a procedure will have been used in a criminal trial.

Prosecuting counsel Remy Farrell SC said this will avoid the need for jurors to manage up to five large folders of documents throughout the trial.