One hundred pieces of artwork, golf memorabilia and a framed picture of Lansdowne Road were among items seized from a luxury property in the K Club by the official administering the Irish bankruptcy of businessman Sean Dunne, the High Court has heard.
The official assignee, Chris Lehane, is happy to return any items that do not form part of the businessman's estate, Mr Justice John Cooke was told.
Mr Dunne, with an address in Connecticut, US, who has been adjudicated bankrupt here and in the United States, wants to recover documents, including documents concerning matrimonial proceedings, seized last month from a house at the K Club in Co Kildare.
The ownership of the property itself was described by another High Court judge last week as “somewhat vague”.
The official assignee had obtained an order to search the property under provisions of the Bankruptcy Act that allow search and seizure in circumstances where it is unclear whether the bankrupt owns the property at issue.
Yesterday, Bill Shipsey, for Mr Dunne, said he needed time to respond to a sworn statement by Mr Lehane and also intended to cross-examine Mr Lehane about his affidavit evidence.
Counsel said security guards assigned to the property were not required as Mr Dunne would undertake that nothing would be taken from the property pending the outcome of the proceedings.
Material relevant
Ellen Gleeson, representing Gayle Dunne; Mr Dunne's son John and an Isle of Man-registered company, Traviata Ltd, said they had an interest in the matter and wanted items belonging to them returned.
The court heard some of the items seized may be the property of the family of John Dunne’s partner but she did not want to get involved in the case on privacy grounds.
Mark Sanfey, for the official assignee, said his client had no wish to hold on to any assets or documentation relating to assets not part of the bankrupt’s estate and was happy to return any such items.
Mr Justice Cooke adjourned the matter to Thursday.
