The former personal assistant to U2 member Adam Clayton has lost an appeal against the severity of her seven year sentence for stealing nearly €3m from the U2 bassist.

Carol Hawkins - originally from North London but with a last address at Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin - was jailed in 2012 on 181 counts of theft from two of the musician's Bank of Ireland accounts between 2004 to 2008.

Hawkins (51) spent the money on thoroughbred horses, shopping sprees, a New York apartment and her children's education.

Last week an appeal to quash her conviction was turned down.