Emotional Gallagher 'vindicated' by verdict

Celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher has been found not guilty of theft by a jury of six men and women at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a six-day trial.

Mr Gallagher, who broke down in tears on hearing the jury's unanimous verdict, was also found not guilty of obtaining money by false pretences and intent to defraud.

"At long last Mr Gallagher has been vindicated. I hope his innocence is as widely publicised as his guilt," his solicitor Carl Haughton said in a brief statement to the media.

Mr Haughton also thanked the jury for its "considered verdict" and said Mr Gallagher was very much obliged to the help and assistance he had received throughout the trial.

Mr Gallagher said he wanted to thank his family and friends for their support. When asked if he intended to stay in the country, he replied: "That's all I have to say."

The jury returned its not guilty verdict on all the charges in less than two hours after it began its deliberations.

Mr Gallagher, formerly of Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, had been charged with stealing three abstract Felim Egan paintings from the Fitzwilliam Hotel on St Stephen's Green on dates unknown between November 2 and November 22, 2000.

Mr Gallagher, aged 32, with a current address at Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, had also pleaded not guilty to obtaining money by false pretences on November 21, 2000 at The Lodge, Killiney Hill Road with intent to defraud through getting Ir£9,000 from Bryan Greene by falsely pretending that three Felim Egan abstract paintings were his property to sell.

Judge Yvonne Murphy excused the jury members from further service for four years for what she said was a long case by Circuit Criminal Court standards and told Mr Gallagher he was free to go from the court.

Mr Gallagher then embraced his counsel Richard N Kean and the other members of his legal team while friends and supporters congratulated him.

He embraced and kissed his wife in the foyer outside Court 29 in the main Four Courts building where the trial was conducted.