Courts / Dublin / Report

Gayle Dunne fails in bid to have US lawyer cross-examined

Date
2016-02-19
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The High Court has dismissed an application by Gayle Dunne to cross-examine a US lawyer as part of her bid to halt Irish proceedings against her. The proceedings, brought by Chris Lehane, the official administering Sean Dunne's Irish bankruptcy, arise over alleged invalid transfers of assets to Ms. Dunne, including a South African hotel valued at over €18m. Ms. Dunne, who resides in Connecticut, sought to have the Irish action discontinued, arguing the transfers are already subject to US bankruptcy proceedings where Mr. Dunne was adjudicated bankrupt in 2013. In a preliminary motion, she requested permission to cross-examine Timothy Miltenberger, the lawyer for the US Bankruptcy Trustee. Mr. Lehane opposed this, seeking a reciprocal order to test the evidence of Ms. Dunne's US lawyer, Alec Ostrow. Justice Caroline Costello ruled that cross-examining Mr. Miltenberger was not necessary. Consequently, the application to cross-examine Mr. Ostrow did not arise. The judge adjourned the matter to a date later this month. The case concerns alleged agreements from 2005 and 2008 regarding assets in South Africa, Dublin, and Co. Wicklow. Mr. Lehane claims these agreements have no legal status, while Ms. Dunne asserts they were compensation for starting a family and her career sacrifices. The matter remains ongoing following the adjournment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gayle Dunne fails in bid to have US lawyer cross-examined. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Chris Lehane

Applicant

Outcome: The judge adjourned the matter to a date later this month.

Dunne's Irish

Applicant

Outcome: The judge adjourned the matter to a date later this month.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The High Court
  • Irish Supreme Court
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Shrewsbury Road

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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