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Law Society hands over Byrne files to CAB

Thomas Byrne - Closed down last month
Thomas Byrne - Closed down last month

The Law Society has handed over certain files relating to the Walkinstown solicitor, Thomas Byrne, to the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Mr Byrne's practice was closed down last month after it emerged that he had drawn down millions of euro from banks and building societies and that he had not honoured undertakings to provide security for those loans.

It has also emerged that Mr Byrne has multiple mortgages with various financial institutions on many of the properties.

A number of banks asked the High Court today to be included in an exchange of information on Mr Byrne's financial affairs. The proceedings against him have been adjourned for two weeks.

Mr Byrne now faces two criminal investigations - one by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and one by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Meanwhile, another Dublin solicitor has given undertakings to the court not to practice as a solicitor and has agreed to orders freezing his bank accounts and his assets.

The Law Society began proceedings against Ciaran Callan, who has a practice in Rathfarnham in Dublin, last week but he was not named until today.

Mr Justice Richard Johnson said last week that the matters against him were 'serious' but not as serious as those in the cases involving Thomas Byrne and Michael Lynn.

The proceedings against Mr Callan will be back before the court next week.