An arrest warrant has been issued for a descendant of an Irish peer who failed to return antiques she removed from the family home at Kilkeel, Co Down.
It was drawn up after Mrs Marion Scarlett Needham Russell walked out of yesterday's sitting of Belfast High Court at which she heard her 14 day sentence for contempt being imposed by Mr Justice Girvan.
The judge had given Mrs Russell since last week to abide by his earlier ruling to hand back the antiques, which are central to a £750,000 auction of family heirlooms from the ancestral home of the Earl of Kilmorey at Mourne Park House. The application to have Mrs Russell committed to prison was made by lawyers for her sister, Mrs Debonair Norah Needham Horsman, Co Down and her brother, Philip James Anley, Kilkeel. They argued that without the items taken this month's auction would not be a success.
Imposing his delayed jail sentence, Mr Justice Girvan said Mrs Russell had been given ample time to comply with the court's ruling but had failed to do so.