Business dealings land sports fan in the rough

BILL DEEGAN’S name was synonymous with business and sport in County Wexford so it must have appeared to outsiders a dream come true when he combined both pursuits by becoming a director of one of the most prestigious golf courses in Hungary.

But what they didn't know, and what Mr Deegan claims not to have known, is a garda investigation into the collapse of his auctioneers and insurance brokerage that had teed off back home six years earlier was about to become his biggest handicap.

Mr Deegan, a native of Kilkenny where he had had been chairman of the GAA supporters club inherited Ryan's Insurance in New Ross from his father-in-law and built up the business with considerable success.