Jury hears technical evidence in solicitor fraud and theft trial

The the trial for theft and fraud of former solicitor Thomas Byrne has been given documents showing he paid stamp duty on multiple properties he took possession of.

Mr Byrne (47) of Walkinstown Road, Crumlin is accused of theft and fraud offences totalling €51.8million.

Most of the counts allege he transferred clients’ homes into his name and then used them as collateral for bank loans.

He has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 51 counts of theft, forgery, using forged documents and deception between 2004 and 2007.

The seventh day of the trial was dominated by technical evidence concerning the payment of stamp duty.

The jury has already heard from a succession of homeowners and property dealers who claim Mr Byrne transferred their properties into his name using forged signatures.

The trial is now entering its second phase which is expected to concentrate on how Mr Byrne allegedly used these properties as security for loans from six banks. Some of the properties were allegedly used as collateral multiple times with different banks according to prosecuting counsel Remy Farrell SC.

The trial continues before Judge Patrick McCartan and a jury of seven men and five women.