Lynn foils sheriff's men by clearing out valuables
THE Dublin Sheriff has had to break locks to enter the homes of disgraced solicitors Michael Lynn and Thomas Byrne, but has only recovered evidence of "a well-planned exit".
The pair, who are being investigated by the garda fraud squad over an alleged €120m mortgage fraud, made millions from their property dealings and lived opulent lifestyles.
But since they became the target of over 10 banks they have cleared their homes of all valuables.
Last Friday, the capital's Sheriff, acting on foot of a High Court order to seize all goods and assets to meet a €1.7m judgment obtained by a major bank, broke the locks on Mr Lynn's home, which he shared with his wife Brid Murphy at St Albans Park, in Sandymount, Dublin.
Mr Lynn, who has fled the country and faces arrest if he turns up in Ireland, adored the home, installing a €26,000 baby grand piano in his principal residence.
A 1/4 tonne granite hippopotamus imported from South America also took pride of place beside the piano.
But when the Sheriff turned up on Friday with two vans; five men, a locksmith and gardai, all they discovered was 20 cases of French wine, chairs, a microwave and a Hoover.
"It was a well-planned exit," said an official from the Sheriff's office.
"We went in on foot of a court order to seize goods and assets to meet a judgment of €1.7m.
"But we could only raise (from a sale) about €2,000. It wouldn't even cover the interest on the debt."
Locks
Yesterday the Sheriff's staff had to break the locks once again on the home of Mr Byrne, who was living in an apartment at Lad Lane, Dublin.
Mr Byrne, who is being investigated by the garda fraud squad and the Criminal Assets Bureau, was not there when the Sheriff's officers called.
Mr Byrne, who is believed to be living in Spain as he awaits a series of court appearances, has not been charged in relation to any offences arising from the garda investigations and there are no restrictions on his travel entitlements. Yesterday, officers had to wade through a mass of unopened post to seize goods at the home of the Walkinstown lawyer.
But when they entered his home, all that was left was "a good rug" and a 50" Bang & Olufsen plasma television.
"There was nothing of any significance there either," said one Sheriff official following the midday raid.
Yesterday it emerged that Mr Lynn's €5m home, Glenlion in Howth, will be placed up for auction in two weeks. Set on 4.75 acres, Glenlion House, which was bought by the recently married couple in 2006, boasts uninterrupted views of Dublin Bay.
- Dearbhail McDonald Legal Editor
