A Kilkenny solicitor who took more than €500,000 from the account of a dead client has been found guilty of professional misconduct.
A Law Society Disciplinary Tribunal this morning found Padraig J Butler, of Butler Solicitors, 10 Lower Patrick Street, Kilkenny, guilty of professional misconduct.
The tribunal found that Mr Butler had misappropriated a substantial amount of money from a client's account.
The High Court had previously heard that Mr Butler had admitted taking more than €1m from a deceased client's estate, even though he believed the amount due to him was half that.
The court was told at the time that Mr Butler did not have the means to pay back the deficit.
The tribunal also found that Mr Butler had failed to comply with undertakings to furnish a discharge of charges in favour of ACC Bank in respect of properties.
The tribunal said that Mr Butler was not a fit person to be a practising solicitor.
