Gallagher to be released on bail

CELEBRITY chef Conrad Gallagher is due to be released from Cloverhill Prison today as he awaits trial on criminal charges of stealing valuable paintings from his own restaurant.

The 32-year-old former owner of Peacock Alley was granted bail on application before a sitting of the High Court at Cloverhill in Dublin yesterday.

The Donegal-born restaurateur had been remanded in custody by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last week following extradition from the US.

However, his release was delayed until the arrival of his US wife, Jennifer Harrison, from New York today with his passport.

Mr Justice Michael Peart set strict bail conditions after it heard that gardaí objected to Mr Gallagher’s release because he had failed to show up for his original trial while also on bail.

Mr Gallagher is expected to be released from Cloverhill Prison this morning following a lodgement of €28,500 plus his own bail bond of €5,000.

He also has to surrender his passport and sign on twice daily at Donnybrook garda station. He also gave the court an undertaking that he will reside at an address in Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, which he has agreed to lease from a friend until the start of his trial.

Mr Gallagher said it was now his intention to sell the New York restaurant, Traffic, which he opened in Manhattan last year.

The chef has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing three paintings by the artist Felim Egan from Peacock Alley which are the property of the Fitzwilliam Hotel, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

He has also denied fraudulently passing on the paintings worth an estimated €12,000 to an art dealer in Blackrock three years ago.

It is known the chef is also anxious to receive treatment for testicular cancer at Dublin’s Charlemont Clinic, where he is attending specialist John Armstrong.

The Court of Criminal Appeal is due to sit later today to fix a date for the full hearing.