The case against the chef, Mr Conrad Gallagher, for alleged theft has been adjourned until May 29th after Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard he was in New York and unfit to travel.
Mr Gallagher, formerly of Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, is on bail facing charges in relation to three paintings he sold in December 2000, which it was claimed were the property of a hotel.
The paintings were reported missing by the proprietors of the Fitzwilliam Hotel, on St Stephen's Green, Dublin, which was the location of Mr Gallagher's Peacock Alley Restaurant.
Mr Gallagher was arrested by gardaí and questioned at Harcourt Terrace station about the alleged theft of the paintings.
He was later charged in Dublin District Court and sent forward for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne was told that Mr Gallagher had a ticket to return from New York a number of weeks ago but didn't do so on medical advice.