A High Court judge has criticised phony notices issued to a receiver by anti-eviction campaigner Charlie Allen who falsely claimed to have an interest in lands in Co Cork.

The leader of a mysterious trust, which thousands of debtors believed would protect €2bn worth of assets, has been arrested after moving into one of the properties signed into his organisation.

The elegant, 210-year-old Lotamore House on 14 acres with views of Cork city’s marina was a guesthouse for 20 years. It’s price of €1.3m (it previously sold for €3-4m) reflects the cost of upgrading.