Celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher, accused of stealing three paintings from the Fitzwilliam Hotel, told gardaí he knew they belonged to the hotel and he should not have sold them, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

A few days after selling three paintings he allegedly stole from the Fitzwilliam Hotel, celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher told its general manager they had been taken from him by 'rough people', Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today.

Celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher was insolvent before he moved his restaurant to the Fitzwilliam Hotel, a jury has been told at the start of his trial for allegedly stealing three paintings.