Developer in plea for personal privacy

PROPERTY DEVELOPER Johnny Ronan has issued a statement appealing for privacy in relation to his personal life.

In the statement, which was sent to newspapers by Dublin public relations company Murray Consultants yesterday, Mr Ronan states: "For the record, and to end speculation in the press, Johnny Ronan would like to make it clear that any romantic relationship between him and Glenda Gilson during the past three years has ended."

It continued: "He would ask that the press respect his privacy in relation to this aspect of his personal life."

Jim Milton, senior director of Murray Consultants, confirmed yesterday that the statement was issued on behalf of Mr Ronan alone and was intended for publication.

Attempts by The Irish Times to contact Ms Gilson were unsuccessful. Ms Gilson stopped modelling last year to become a full-time presenter of the Xposé show on TV3. She was scheduled to appear last night at Xposé Live, a three-day fashion and beauty show at the RDS in Dublin.

Mr Ronan is joint owner with Richard Barrett of Treasury Holdings, one of the country's largest property development companies.

The firm is building the national convention centre on the Liffey quays in Dublin, and a subsidiary is redeveloping Battersea power station in London.