Former solicitor jailed for €9m land purchase fraud

A former solicitor from Co Kildare has been jailed for two and a half years for his role in a €9m land purchase fraud.

44-year-old John Duffy of Clogheen in Monasterevin admitted sending false letters to Investec Bank on behalf of co-accused Tony McAuliffe to get a loan for 55 acres of land in Co. Offaly in 2007.

78-year-old McAuliffe received a fully suspended two and a half year sentence for his role.

Judge Leonie Reynolds suspended the final 12 months of Duffy’s sentence, taking into account his previous good character, co-operation and remorse.

She also criticised Investec saying if it had carried out the most rudimentary checks the fraud would have been exposed.