Trusted woman embezzled £2m from U2 bass guitarist, jury told

Carol Hawkins faces 181 counts of stealing cheques from the star between 2004 and 2008.

The Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin heard how the 48-year-old worked for Clayton for some 16 years, earning up to 48,000 euro (£38,000) a year and living rent free at his home.

She was initially employed as a housekeeper at the bassist’s Georgian mansion in Rathfarnham, South Dublin, but gained his trust and was promoted over the years to the role of personal assistant.

Prosecution barrister Colm O’Briain told the jury that Clayton appointed Hawkins as signatory to a number of his bank accounts. It was from two particular accounts – known as the Fitzwilliam account and the Danesmoate account – that she is accused of withdrawing a total 2.8 million euro over four years.

Clayton, dressed in a dark jacket and white shirt, sat intently at the back of the court as the prosecution opened its case.

Mr O’Briain said Hawkins and her then husband, John Hawkins, who had also been employed by Clayton as a driver, lived at the musician’s home.

The property was refurbished during 2005 and Hawkins and her husband were forced to move into another house, for which Clayton picked up the monthly rent bill of around 2,600 euro (£2,100).

The pair had also been paid a joint salary, taking in around 3,800 euro (£3,075) a month.

But Clayton continued to pay Ms Hawkins the full amount even after her marriage ended in 2007, eventually raising her monthly income to 4,080 euro (£3,300) – representing a net salary of around 48,000 euro (£38,800) the barrister added.

Hawkins denies all the charges and the trial continues.