Former solicitor to face trial in Cork over €270,000 fraud

A former solicitor has been returned for trial on nine counts of fraud involving more than €270,000 and one count of arson at a building, housing a pub and a solicitor’s office, in Co Cork.

Mark Cronin (39), of New Street, Macroom, on Wednesday made his third appearance before Macroom District Court in relation to the 10 charges.

Det Garda Tom O’Sullivan confirmed to Judge James McNulty that he had served a book of evidence on Mr Cronin in relation to both the nine fraud charges and the single arson charge.

Insp Jerry Lacey confirmed the DPP had consented to Mr Cronin being sent forward for trial on indictment and he applied to have him returned to the next sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge McNulty granted the application and remanded Mr Cronin on bail to appear at the next sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court at the Washington Street Courthouse in Cork on June 9th.

Mr Cronin's solicitor, Conor Murphy, applied for an extension of free legal aid to retain a barrister for the case which he said was quite complex. Judge McNulty granted the application.

Mr Cronin is charged with three counts of stealing €30,000, €40,000 and €100,000 from Maurice and Rosemary McCarthy at South Square, Macroom on dates in 2011 and 2012.

He is also charged with stealing a sum of €79,364.48 from Sean O’Sullivan, also at his office at South Square, Macroom, on a date between January 25th 2011 and January 19th 2012.

Mr Cronin is also charged of stealing €24,220 from Eric Graham at his office at Cronins Solicitors, South Square, Macroom between July 1st 2009 and December 15th 2013.

All five theft charges against Mr Cronin are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Act 2011 and involve a total sum of €273,854, the court had heard.

Mr Cronin is also charged with two counts of theft by deception and two counts of using a false document, contrary to Section 6 and Section 25 respectively of the same legislation.

Mr Cronin is also charged with committing arson at a building housing a pub and a solicitor’s office at Middle Square, Macroom on October 4th 2010.