Michael Lynn tells court his €27m loans were not 'a scheme designed to defraud' banks

The former solicitor said he was fighting the charges because he was adamant the banks knew what was happening and he had not stolen from them

“I'm a lot of things but I'm not a thief,” Michael Lynn (pictured) told the court. Picture: Collins Courts

Former solicitor Michael Lynn has told his multi-million euro theft trial he did not steal “a penny” and there was no scheme designed to defraud the banks.

Mr Lynn (53) of Millbrook Court, Red Cross, Co. Wicklow, is on trial accused of the theft of around €27 million from seven financial institutions. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006, and April 20, 2007.