A KILKENNY auctioneer and financial adviser was remanded on continuing bail at Kilkenny District Court yesterday. He was charged with forgery, false pretences and fraudulent conversion of more than £270,000 entrusted to him by clients.

Mr Patrick Blanchfield (33), with an address at Whitewood, Johnswell, Kilkenny, was remanded by Judge William Harnett to appear at Kilkenny District Court on November 5th.

He is charged with forging cheques and converting to his own use sums totalling more than £270,000 entrusted to him for investment by clients or for lodgement in deposit accounts in order to get mortgages.