Disposal of Allen's shares in Ballymaloe under way

As Tim Allen left his home yesterday, financial advisers were assessing the tax implications of transferring his shares in the Ballymaloe cookery school and hotel businesses to other members of his family.

Allen owns 25 per cent of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and 16 per cent of Ballymaloe House hotel and restaurant.

At the weekend, after reflecting on the public reaction to his conviction on child pornography charges, the Allen family said his continuation in the businesses would not serve the enterprise. More than 200 people are employed in various Ballymaloe businesses.

Confirming Tim Allen's resignation yesterday of two directorships, the family's public relations adviser, Mr Pat Heneghan, said accountants were "as we speak" preparing for the disposal of his shares. These would remain in the Allen family although Mr Heneghan said he did not know whether they would be acquired by Tim Allen's immediate family.

Allen managed and taught bread courses at the cookery school in which his wife Darina is the driving force. A 200-acre organic farm adjoins the school, which is in the same complex as Tim Allen's family home at Kinoith, Shanagarry. The school is three miles from the family hotel.

No detailed accounts are available for the cookery school but it is believed to be highly profitable. The hotel made a €1.39 million profit in the year to the end of October 2001, up from €1.26 million the previous year.

Allen was not involved in the running of the hotel and restaurant, in which each of his siblings holds shares. That business is managed by Ms Hazel Allen, who is married to Tim Allen's brother Rory. Mr Rory Allen manages a 400-acre farm adjoining the hotel.

Mr Heneghan said Allen was not a shareholder or involved in the day-to-day running of the craft shop, café or relish businesses owned by other members of the family. Neither was he involved in the ice-cream business which trades under his wife's name.

While certain people cancelled restaurant bookings last weekend and four people returned gift vouchers, Mr Heneghan said others had made new bookings for meals and for cookery courses. Local food producers would continue to supply the business.

RTÉ said yesterday that it would not repeat the Bread at Ballymaloe series featuring Tim Allen. Eight programmes were shown from March last year until the middle of May. Gardaí raided Allen's home on May 27th, 2002, days after the series ended.