Another solicitor in alleged property scam
January 03, 2008
Another Irish solicitor is being investigated for fraud, the Irish Independent reports.
An alleged property scam led to leading Dublin lawyer Thomas Byrne running up a €50 million debt, according to legal regulators the Law Society.
His solicitor negligence case is currently being heard by Ireland's High Court.
Mr Byrne's alleged solicitor negligence comes as the high-profile case of fellow Dublin lawyer Michael Lynn continues.
Mr Lynn is alleged to have taken out €80 million in illegal mortgages - and is currently missing, leading to the suspension of his High Court solicitor negligence trial.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, commenting on the recent solicitor negligence cases, said that the way in which lawyers are regulated could be reformed.
"I am not satisfied that self-regulation, as it has been operated over the years, is the best model.
"Total self-regulation does not provide the impression that the public interest is best served in a transparent way, notwithstanding the fact that the overwhelming majority [of solicitors] are doing a good job," he told the Irish parliament.