Ex-rugby player jailed over stealing €570k from bank

Former international rugby player Brendan Mullin has been jailed for three years after stealing more than €570,000 (£475,602) from Bank of Ireland Private Bank.

Mullin of Stillorgan Road in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, had pleaded not guilty of stealing the money from 2011 and 2013 when he was its chief executive officer.

The 61-year-old also pleaded not guilty to false accounting charges.

He was convicted by a jury earlier in November of 12 of the 14 charges and the court was told that he now accepts the jury's verdict.

The trial heard that Mullin stole €500,000 (£417,193) from Bank of Ireland amidst a communication breakdown within arms of the banking group, with the money being transferred to Spice Holdings.

The company, which is registered in the British Virgin Islands, was a client that Mullin had brought into the bank, the court heard.

The trial heard allegations that Mullin arranged for money to be paid by the bank to McCann Fitzgerald solicitors, Beechwood accountants and Grant Thornton for work that was done for him personally or his firm, Quantum Investment Strategies.

The judge said Mullin was in "a position of trust and a position of power" when he stole from the bank.

The judge noted no motive was advanced by Mullin, but he could only infer Mullin was "somewhat desperate for funds and embarked on this endeavour to obtain money".

The judge took a number of mitigating factors into account including that Bank of Ireland Private Bank was fully repaid the funds and not at a loss.

He also noted that there was a significant delay in bringing the case.

The judge said he was "remorseful and sorry" for his actions.

However the judge said a custodial sentence was inevitable as he handed down a jail term of three years.