Gallagher told gardaí paintings were hotel's, court hears

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.

"I realise the paintings belonged to Fitzwilliam Hotel and it was not my place to sell them. I am really sorry about the hassle I have caused and I will try to get the paintings back as soon as I leave the station," he said in a second statement to gardai after initially claiming "thugs" had taken the paintings from him.