Ex-millionaire developer among three sent forward for trial over alleged property fraud

A property developer, a solicitor and an accountant have been sent forward for trial following an investigation into alleged property registration fraud in Dublin. 

 

Herbert Kilcline (59), a solicitor with an address at Bessborough Parade, Rathmines, Dublin 6 and accountant Matthew Murphy (49), of The Hardwick, Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 and former millionaire property developer Philip Marley (49) with an address at Rathbourne Court, Ashtown, Dublin were arrested in April and May by detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. 

 

Mr Kilcline is accused of money laundering and submitting false deeds to the Property Registration Authority stating ownership of two houses, at Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7 and St Mary’s Road, D4, transferred from one business entity to a second firm. 

 

Charges 

Mr Murphy is accused of money laundering by handling or transferring crime proceeds totalling €268,125. 

 

Mr Marley is charged with two counts of theft, two of money laundering and four property registration offences in relation to the same two houses, between 2016 and 2018. The amounts involved are €21,875 and €246,250. 

 

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment and books of evidence were served on the three by the State when they appeared again at Dublin District Court. Mr Marley was told by Judge Brian O’Shea that he was being returned for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on October 29th. 

 

An application for legal aid was deferred. 

 

Beforehand, his co-defendants appeared at another sitting of the same court and were also sent forward for trial. They were ordered to appear at the Circuit Court on the same date as Mr Marley. 

 

Earlier, Det Garda Ronan Farrelly said Mr Kilcline’s reply to charge was: “I’m completely innocent of all the charges, completely unaware of any impropriety.” The district court heard he worked part time as a solicitor and earned €300 a week and was in “grave financial difficulty”. 

 

He agreed to hand over his passport, stay in the country and to sign on regularly at his local Garda station. 

 

Det Garda Alan Egan said the co-accused Mr Murphy made no reply when charged. 

 

He was ordered to surrender his passport, sign on once a week at Garda station and not leave the jurisdiction. 

 

Mr Marley’s reply to the charges was “not guilty”. His bail required an an independent surety in a cash sum of €5,000 and he must live at the address provided and sign on weekly at a Garda station. 

 

The Irish Times