The trial of celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher has been brought forward because of difficulties two prosecution witnesses have in attending the July date for the trial set last week.
Judge Desmond Hogan set July 7th as the refixed date for the trial on Tuesday but today Ms Melanie Greally BL, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Court that a Garda witness was due to have a baby on July 9th and that another witness was due to go on holiday 4 days earlier.
Ms Deirdre Hughes BL, for Mr Gallagher, said her client was agreeable to the trial being brought forward a week.
Judge Hogan set a new date of June 30th and remanded Mr Gallagher on continuing bail.
Mr Gallagher, formerly of Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, is denying allegations that he stole three paintings 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.