Dunne fails to quash search warrant for house

The High Court has dismissed developer Sean Dunne’s bid to quash a warrant under which the official in charge of his Irish bankruptcy searched a house where various assets were seized.

Mr Dunne, who has been declared a bankrupt in Ireland and the US where he now lives, had challenged a warrant granted to the official assignee, Chris Lehane, allowing search of a property at Churchfield, Straffan, Co Kildare, last November when various assets, including artworks were seized.

Mr Dunne claims he is not the owner of the property and it is held in trust for his children by an Isle of Man-registered company, Traviata. Wife Gayle Dunne, son John Dunne, and Traviata have made claims in respect of some the items seized.