'Con man, obnoxious chancer' - Public reacts to RTÉ documentary on Michael Lynn

The first part of a new two-part documentary series, Michael Lynn: The Fugitive aired on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday night, January 6.

The documentary highlighted new links involving a Bulgarian business associate of Michael Lynn's setting up companies in Ireland relating to property development, and those company accounts being accessed by Mr Lynn's wife, Brid Murphy withdrawing cash in the last year. 

The two part series reveals the true story of a hunt to bring one of Ireland’s most notorious fugitives to justice told directly by the reporter who tracked him down, his victims, and former employees. 

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Irish viewers have been sharing their thoughts and questions surrounding the first part of this story and many have criticised the lack of due diligence from banks involved and others have slammed then Minister for Justice Michael McDowell for "opposing regulation".

McDowell is an Independent Senator and a practising Senior Counsel. He has been a member of Seanad Éireann since 2016, he was elected again in 2020 and he is seeking re-election in the next Seanad election this month.

One person posted on X/Twitter: "Michael Lynn on RTE 1 just now. Michael Mc Dowell - current senator and candidate for re-election to the University panel- was then Minister for Justice and opposed regulation: ‘People have to look after themselves’. Michael Lynn was able to rob 12m from Irish people… hmm.."

Another simply tweeted: "Michael Lynn.....con man, obnoxious chancer, he was at 18 he never changed..."

One person said: "not saying Michael Lynn isn't a scumbag - he is - but what this documentary is really highlighting is the complete absence of due diligence in banking regulations back in the 00's"

Another said: "#MichaelLynn the #banks might have forgotten about him after a year but the small investor who were buying a property with their pension and the man whose wife died will carry that burden for the rest of their lives"