A SOLICITOR has been sent forward for trial over allegations of deception and theft of approximately €750,000 at a Dublin law firm.
David O’Shea (44), Parkmore Drive, Terenure, Dublin, is facing 26 counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.
They include charges for theft of about €500,000 from client accounts.
He is also accused of deceiving others out of approximately €250,000 for his own gain, at O’Donovan’s Solicitors, Capel Street, Dublin, from 2005 to 2008.
Mr O’Shea had no reply to caution when he was charged earlier and the DPP had directed trial on indictment.
He made his third appearance at Dublin District Court yesterday where Det Garda Sgt Martin Griffin of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation served a book of evidence on him.
A State solicitor told Judge John O’Neill that Mr O’Shea was to be “returned to the next term of Dublin Circuit Court”.
Judge O’Neill then made an order sending him forward for trial.
Mr O’Shea was notified that if he intended to rely on an alibi as part of his defence, he must furnish the details to the State within 14 days.
The judge remanded him on continuing bail in his own bond, pending his trial.
He also acceded to a request by defence solicitor Michael Hanahoe to grant legal aid to Mr O’Shea, “given the amount involved”.
Mr O’Shea spoke briefly during the case to confirm his name and his signature on his bail bond.