The High Court has granted judgment for €241,000 against a man alleged to have a long history of fraud and "a string of convictions" in the United States.
Judgment in that sum was granted yesterday to Ms Elizabeth Hilliard, a widow and university lecturer, of Ormond Road, Rathmines, Dublin.
She had taken proceedings against Mr Mark Dolan, Haven Hill, Summercove, Kinsale, Co Cork, and against Gaelforce Sailing Challenge Limited, Haven Hill, Summercove, Kinsale, said to be controlled by Mr Dolan.
Ms Hilliard claimed she had advanced, by a way of a loan, some €40,000 to Gaelforce on June 27th, 2002, at the request of Mr Dolan. She alleged it had been agreed she would advance that sum to enable Gaelforce purchase and sell boats and that it was also agreed the money would be repaid when the boats were sold. However, she claimed, the boats were sold but the money was not repaid.
On August 7th, 2002, Ms Hilliard claimed she advanced a further €160,000 by way of a loan but it too was not repaid. She further alleged failure to repay some €40,953 paid on or about September 10th, 2002, to Goff's Bloodstock Sales on a particular account for the purpose of financing the purchase of horses.
Mr Justice Kearns said Mr Dolan's affidavit had no shred of credibility.
He refused a request by Mr Michael Vallely, for the defendants, that a stay be put on the judgment. Mr Vallely said the transaction had all the hallmarks of an investment.
Mr Terry O'Sullivan SC, for Ms Hilliard, said his client was one of a number of people chasing Mr Dolan and time was of the essence. Mr Dolan was a person with a long history of fraud and a string of convictions in the US for fraud, counsel said. He also had a conviction in Cork Circuit Court.