The High Court yesterday granted a decree for £662,094 against a Dublin man, Mr Matthew Kelly. However, Mr Justice O'Sullivan put a stay on his order to March 21st, when the court is expected to hear an application by the Criminal Assets Bureau for judgment for more than £2.95 million against Mr Kelly.
The CAB's application against Mr Kelly was due to be heard yesterday, but Mr Kelly, a company director, of Ashington Gardens, Navan Road, Dublin, applied for an adjournment. Mr Kelly, who was declared bankrupt in 1984, denies that he owes the amount alleged by the CAB. He also denies deriving any income from criminal activity.
His adjournment application was opposed by Mr Shane Murphy, for the CAB, who said Mr Kelly had conceded that it was a "last-minute application". The CAB learned only yesterday morning that the application was to be made when it was told by Ms Gabrielle Wolfe, solicitor on record for Mr Kelly, that Mr Kelly had engaged another solicitor.
Mr Murphy asked the court to enter a judgment for £662,094 against Mr Kelly. The CAB believed that he was the beneficial owner of properties.
The judge said that he would grant a decree for £662,094 against Mr Kelly, but would put a stay on it until March 21st, when he hoped the CAB's application would go to full hearing.