FORMER CLONES SOLICITOR SENT FORWARD FOR TRIAL ON €850,000 THEFT CHARGES

FORMER Clones-based solicitor Paul Madden has been sent forward for trial after pleading guilty to 16 charges of stealing money from clients’ accounts.

At this week’s sitting of Monaghan District Court, 50-year-old Mr Madden, of The Diamond, Clones, pleaded guilty to the offences, which took place at his former business premises, Paul Madden & Co, Fitzpatrick Square, Clones on various dates between October 2006 and September 2013.

The charges relate to thefts from nine separate client accounts from which a total sum of €856,871.33 was taken, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

When asked by Judge Denis McLoughlin if he wished to plead guilty to all 16 charges, Mr Madden replied, “Absolutely.”

Directing that he go forward for trial at Monaghan Circuit Court on 14th June next, Judge McLoughlin remanded the defendant on continuing bail of €500 in his own bond with an independent surety of €10,000.

Bail conditions are that Mr Madden is to sign every Wednesday at Clones Garda Station and must not apply for any new travel documentation.

Mr Madden had already been granted legal aid in the matter, and Judge McLoughlin confirmed at Monday’s hearing that this was being extended to cover one senior counsel and one junior counsel as well as his solicitor.

The defence had earlier asked that the case be put into a special sitting of Monaghan Circuit Court on 29th April next, but the judge noted that he was obliged to officially forward Mr Madden to the next scheduled sittings of the Circuit Court, which begin on 14th June.

But he could apply in the meantime to have that switched to the earlier hearing, Judge McLoughlin told Mr Madden.