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Aerial view of the property at 38 Bush Ave, before the Dunnes began work on the house. Bing maps
Dunne

Sean Dunne's wife lodges lawsuit against lawyer for return of $500k

Gayle Killelea Dunne has begun legal action against US lawyer over money she says she gave to him and repeatedly asked to be returned to her.

Sean Dunne’s wife Gayle Killelea Dunne has begun legal proceedings against a lawyer who failed to return money she says she gave him for a real estate deal.

Killelea Dunne claims that the $500,000 (€378,000) she transferred to her lawyer was not returned to her when she requested.

The Greenwich Citizen reports that the lawyer’s name is listed on the deeds of the Belle Haven, Connecticut property the Dunnes have relocated to.

Killelea Dunne filed the lawsuit against New York lawyer Philip Teplen before Christmas. The $500,000 was initially intended to be used for real estate in Chicago, before she decided not to go ahead with that deal.

She reportedly claims in an affidavit that after she requested the return of the money, Teplen told her that the money was being used for her visa application. She says she never authorised the money to be used for it nor had she directed Teplen to submit her visa application.

The Dunnes have become embroiled in a planning row with their new neighbours after applying for renovations to the property. They may have exceeded the scope of a permit granted for that work by substantially demolishing the home.

Read: Sean Dunne branded a “pariah” by new neighbours >