Judgment reserved in action by Gayle Killilea, wife of Dunne

Wife of bankrupt developer Seán Dunne is contesting entitlement to seize certain assets

Seán Dunne and Gayle Killilea:  High Court proceedings arise over alleged invalid transfers to Ms Killilea of various of her husband’s assets, including a hotel in South Africa valued at more than €18 million. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times
Seán Dunne and Gayle Killilea: High Court proceedings arise over alleged invalid transfers to Ms Killilea of various of her husband’s assets, including a hotel in South Africa valued at more than €18 million. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh/The Irish Times

Judgment has been reserved in a case where Gayle Killilea, wife of bankrupt property developer Seán Dunne, is contesting the entitlement of the official assignee, Chris Lehane, to seize certain assets.

The hearing before Ms Justice Caroline Costello in the Commercial Court, concluded on Friday after two days.

Ms Killilea has sought to halt proceedings against her in the Irish courts by Mr Lehane, the official administering Mr Dunne’s Irish bankruptcy.

The High Court proceedings arise over alleged invalid transfers to Ms Killilea of various of her husband’s assets, including a hotel in South Africa valued at more than €18 million.

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Ms Killilea, with an address at Greenwich, Connecticut, wants the proceedings brought by Mr Lehane against her discontinued on grounds including that the transfers are already the subject of bankruptcy proceedings in the US.

Alleged agreements

Mr Lehane’s proceedings against Ms Dunne involve to two alleged agreements between Mr Dunne and his wife in 2005 and 2008.

The alleged agreements relate to assets including the Lagoon Beach Hotel, Cape Town, and interests in assets including properties in Dublin – one at Shrewsbury Road – and in Co Wicklow.

Mr Lehane claims the alleged agreement has no legal status.

Colm Keena

Colm Keena

Colm Keena is an Irish Times journalist. He was previously legal-affairs correspondent and public-affairs correspondent