Dublin solicitor Thomas Byrne, whose Walkinstown legal practice was closed down by the Law Society amid concerns over his property dealings, has been keeping luxury cars, art and furniture in storage.
A Co Dublin storage company has been holding two Bentleys with 2003 and 2004 car registrations, between 20 and 30 paintings and some furniture which were removed from Mr Byrne's home off Baggot Street in Dublin.
A manager of the company, who asked that the husband and wife-run business not be named, said it had received the cars, art and furniture from an individual acting on behalf of Mr Byrne. The manager said she expected Mr Byrne's belongings to be removed today.
She said her solicitor was going to contact the Law Society to inform them about the items owned by Mr Byrne it was holding. She said she had been told that Mr Byrne was holding more of his belongings at another storage facility in Co Dublin but that she did not know where.
When asked why Mr Byrne was keeping some items in storage, Mr Byrne's solicitor, David Christie, said he could not comment as the matter was sub judice and subject to an order of the High Court.
Mr Byrne's chauffeur company, Bentley Chauffeur Drive and Golden Events, which traded from a premises next to the solicitor's legal practice on the Walkinstown Road, has ceased trading.
A message recorded on the company's answering machine said: "You've reached Bentley Chauffeur Drive and Golden Events, both of which are owned by Thomas Byrne of Thomas Byrne Solicitors which on October 22 was taken over and closed down by the Law Society of Ireland. Bentley Chauffeur Hire and Golden Events are no longer trading. Apologies for any inconvenience caused."
The Law Society, which has confirmed that it has closed down all of Mr Byrne's businesses, is continuing its investigation into Mr Byrne as its case against the solicitor continues before the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Richard Johnson.
The Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda National Bureau of Fraud Investigation are also investigating Mr Byrne (41). High Court judge, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, referred the papers in the legal action taken by First Active against Mr Byrne to the fraud bureau.
Mr Byrne is being sued by several financial institutions which he owes at least €47.5 million. He took out multiple mortgages on the same properties from several institutions using solicitors' undertakings, which allows loans to be drawn down without the solicitor immediately registering the loan security against a property.
