Gardaí have been ordered to arrest Dublin solicitor Michael Lynn and bring him before the High Court tomorrow for failing to turn up in court to answer questions about property dealings that have contributed to his estimated liabilities of €80 million.
Mr Lynn had been ordered to appear in the High Court and was to face two days of questioning by the Law Society over his property dealings. His Dublin practice has been shut down by the Law Society.
Mr Justice Richard Johnson this morning ordered that Mr Lynn be arrested and brought before the court at 2pm after he failed to turn up for the hearing at 11am.
However, at 2pm, there was still no appearance either by Mr Lynn or any lawyer acting for him. Shane Murphy SC, for the society, asked that the matter be adjourned to tomorrow to allow the society put matters on affidavit.
The questions to be answered by Mr Lynn to focus on six property dealings, including two dealings concerning Glenlion House in Howth, Dublin, which Mr Lynn intended to use as his new family home and in relation to which he took out at least three, and perhaps four, mortgages. The questioning will also relate to matters contained in an affidavit from Mr Lynn about his dealings.
His evidence is not admissible in any criminal proceedings as he is required by court order to attend.
Mr Lynn has been accused of taking out multiple mortgages on the same properties and has estimated liabilities of some €80 million. His assets have been valued at some €52.5 million and he or his firms are listed as having some 154 bank accounts and dealings concerning some 148 properties.
Documents relating to Mr Lynn's dealings have been sent to the Garda National Bureau of Fraud Investigation and some of its officers, as well as representatives of the major banks who are owned multi-million sums, were in court today.
Mr Justice Johnson adjourned the case to tomorrow morning and said that, if Mr Lynn turned up, he was to be detained in custody until the court hearing at 11am.
Earlier, Gary McCarthy, for Mr Lynn's wife, Brid Murphy, said she last saw her husband on Monday evening at the offices of Merriman White solicitors, at Tooks Court, London. Ms Murphy then flew back here for a meeting with solicitors here in relation to separate proceedings involving her.
Counsel said Mr Lynn was in London on Tuesday with Merriman White and had spoken to his wife by phone. Ms Murphy had made calls to her husband yesterday but had not so far heard back from him. She expected to be phoned soon.
Mr Lynn has now employed his third legal team since October. He was initially represented by Giles Kennedy, solicitor, and until now by Seán Sexton of PJ Walsh & Company. He has now engaged Merriman White.
