Celebrity chef trial brought forward
The trial of celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher has been brought forward to June 30 because of witness difficulties for the prosecution.
Earlier this week Judge Desmond Hogan fixed the trial of the well-known restaurateur for July 7 after he was extradited from the United States of America.
He was granted bail by the High Court in Cloverhill Prison last Monday but couldn't take it up until Wednesday when his passport was sent back from the USA.
Ms Melanie Greally BL, prosecuting, told Judge Hogan that a garda witness was expecting a baby on July 9 and a civilian witness was going on holidays on July 5. This would cause great difficulties for the State.
Ms Deirdre Hughes BL, for Mr Gallagher, said her client was agreeable to the trial being brought forward a week.
Judge Hogan remanded him on continuing bail to June 30 and renewed witness and exhibit orders previously made.
Mr Gallagher (aged 32), formerly of Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, is facing charges in relation to three paintings which he allegedly sold in December 2000.
The paintings were claimed to be the property of the Fitzwilliam Hotel, on St Stephen's Green, Dublin, which was the location of Mr Gallagher's Peacock Alley Restaurant.
A bench warrant was issued on October15, 2002 for Mr Gallagher's arrest when he failed to show up for his trial.
It was learned he had moved to New York here he married an American woman in September and opened up a new restaurant called Traffic on Manhattan's First Avenue.
