Midlands solicitor: 'I never took a penny from client account'
A midlands solicitor who has been suspended from practising and had his bank accounts frozen has told the High Court that he has "never benefited from" or taken money from any of his client accounts.
Last week the High Court granted the Law Society various orders against solicitor Eamon Comiskey after it was informed that its Complaints and Client Relations Committee formed the opinion that he is guilty of dishonesty and misconduct.
The committee has referred the matter to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
The committee, which considers complaints against solicitors, came to its opinion arising out of allegations that the solicitor engaged in a "systemic practise" of failing to use money received from the sale of properties to discharge mortgages affecting those properties.
In a statement to the court today, Mr Comiskey, of Eamon P. Comiskey & Co Solicitors a sole practioner at Ballycarnan, Portlaoise, Co Laois, informed Mr Justice John Hedigan that he wished to "state categorically" that he had "never taken one penny from a client account."
He added that he had "always maintained" his files, which he said are "complete and intact".
The court also heard that Mr Comiskey, a married man with two children, has health problems due to the serious pressure of the allegations against him, and has been unable to obtain legal representation.
Today Mr Justice Hedigan, in adjourning the case, agreed to vary the freezing orders to allow Mr Comiskey draw down €900 per week for living expenses.
The judge also extended time to early October in order to allow Mr Comiskey prepare affidavits disclosing information concerning his assets and one of explanation.
The judge however refused Mr Comiskey's request to have yesterday's hearing held in camera, or to have reporting restrictions imposed.
The matter will now go before the President of the High Court in October.
The Law Society sought the orders as a result of number of complaints made against the solicitor, dating back to last October.
Last week, as well as freezing all his bank accounts and suspending him from practising, Mr Justice Eamon deValera made orders also prevent Mr Comiskey from disposing of any assets in his possession or within his procurement.
The court made further orders including suspending Mr Comiskey's practising certificate, and that he hand over all his records and files and the keys of his offices to the Law Society.
He was also to prepare affidavits disclosing all information as to his assets and one of explanation within 14 days.
