U2 star's former PA to appeal conviction

Adam Clayton's former PA is appealing the conviction and sentence handed down to her for stealing almost €3m from the U2 star.

In 2012, Carol Hawkins of Lower Rathmines Road in Dublin was jailed for seven years for embezzling his cash to fund a lavish lifestyle.

At her sentence hearing, the trial judge described Carol Hawkins' crimes as "rooted in greed and nothing else".

As his PA for 17 yrs, she had access to two of Adam Clayton's bank accounts from which she dipped into 181 times over a four-year period.

She stole a total of €2.8m and used the cash to buy flights, exotic holidays, expensive clothes, horses, a car for her son and an apartment in NY.

A jury found her guilty on all counts and two years on, she is now back in court fighting both the conviction and the seven-year sentence handed down.

Today's appeal challenges issues such as the disclosure of evidence, the charges pursued and certain decisions made by the judge.

Lawyers for the DPP have just begun their response by challenging an accusation that the U2 star's privacy was given special protection throughout the criminal proceedings.

The appeal continues before a three-judge panel.