Dunne challenges ruling K Club search warrant was valid

Bankrupt developer Seán Dunne is to appeal a High Court ruling that a warrant used to search a house in the K Club was valid.

Mr Dunne will also ask the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that his lawyers were not entitled to cross-examine the official who obtained the warrant.

The developer, who has been declared a bankrupt in Ireland and the US, where he now lives, failed last month in a High Court application to set aside a warrant granted to the official assignee in charge of his Irish bankruptcy, Chris Lehane, allowing a search of the house at Churchfield, Straffan, Kildare, last November.

Various assets, including artworks, were seized by Mr Lehane’s staff.

'Not owner'
Mr Dunne says he is not the owner of the property and claims it is held in trust for his children by an Isle of Man-registered company called Traviata.

Mr Dunne’s wife, Gayle, son John and Traviata, who supported the application to have Mr Lehane cross-examined, have made claims on some items seized from the house.

The ruling last month found Mr Dunne had “shown no grounds on which the warrant is invalid or defective on its face” and also dismissed the application to cross-examine.

Yesterday, Bill Shipsey SC, for Mr Dunne, said his client would appeal the warrant issue and the refusal to permit cross-examination. Gabriel Gavigan SC, for Gayle Dunne, John Dunne and Traviata, said he had no instructions to appeal.

Mr Justice McGovern said he would award costs of the High Court hearing against the Dunne side.