Collapsed clothing group's 'real controller' allegedly used €1m of firm's funds to buy two Thai villas

John Curley claimed company entered into a voluntary co-investment arrangement with him to buy the Thai properties and it was 'not a passive victim'

The Born Clothing group of companies, which had 15 shops around the country, went into liquidation with debts of €7.82m including €2.2m owed to Revenue. File picture

A clothing group, which is in liquidation, was allegedly stripped by a shadow director of more than €1m to buy two luxury holiday villas in Thailand while it was in a precarious financial position, the High Court has heard.

The Born Clothing group of companies, which had 15 shops around the country, went into liquidation with debts of €7.82m including €2.2m owed to Revenue.