Celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher has until Tuesday to explain why judgment of some £70,000 should not be entered against him for alleged rent arrears and an alleged unpaid personal loan.
The Master of the High Court, Mr Harry Hill, yesterday adjourned the application for judgment until Tuesday. Judgment for £70,500 is being sought against Mr Gallagher by Mr Gerard McGurn, the landlord of premises at Upper Merrion Street, Dublin, which formerly housed Mr Gallagher's restaurant, Lloyds Brasserie. The sum is made up of £57,500 in alleged rent arrears and £13,000 for a personal loan which Mr McGurn claims to have made to Mr Gallagher and which, it is alleged, was repaid by a personal cheque which bounced.
Mr Michael Bowman, for Mr McGurn, told the Master his client was concerned about Mr Gallagher's solvency following a number of bounced cheques.
The court was told Mr McGurn served a forfeiture notice in relation to Lloyds Brasserie earlier this year and re-entered it on May 16th. Mr McGurn then took proceedings against Mr Gallagher.
Ms Marilyn Trimble, for Mr Gallagher, asked for a two-week adjournment as there had been a change of solicitors and the present solicitors only received the papers last week.
Mr Bowman said the motion for judgment was issued in May. He said there was no possible defence and the monies were outstanding.
Master Hill asked where was Mr Gallagher. Counsel said she was unsure. Master Hill said if someone owed Mr Gallagher £70,500, he assumed Mr Gallagher would be concerned. If Mr Gallagher read in the papers that a decree has been entered against him for £70,500, he was sure it would have a dynamic effect. He added. "It just might bring him to his senses." He said Mr Gallagher was acting in a "bizarre manner".
Mr Bowman said his client had served a forfeiture notice in relation to Lloyds some time ago and Mr Gallagher had not issued any proceedings. Master Hill said he would consider a short adjournment if he thought Mr Gallagher might turn up, but would not adjourn the matter for two weeks.
The Master granted a short adjournment to allow an opportunity for Mr Gallagher's lawyers to contact him. When the matter resumed, Ms Trimble said they had been unable to contact Mr Gallagher.
Mr Bowman asked the Master to enter judgment in the sum sought and put a stay on that. The Master said he would not deny Mr Gallagher an opportunity to deal with the matter but would adjourn the matter only to Tuesday. A decision would be made on that date for better or worse, he said.