Lawyers for a 60-year-old American woman who claims her younger Irish lover defrauded her out of millions say his defence that he was authorised to take the money is a 'ruse'.

Elisa Rodino of Cathedral Avenue, Hempstead, New York is suing Thomas J. Queally, who lives in Yonkers, New York but is originally from Lahaknock, Kilmaley in Co. Clare to recover monies that she claims are rightfully hers.

She alleges that he swindled her out of US$4 million - a large portion of which he took from a US account and lodged into a bank in Ennis, Co. Clare.

She also claims that Mr. Queally was leading a double life and had another fiancee while engaged to her.

Last month lawyers for the 60-year-old secured temporary freezing orders stopping him from reducing, dissipating or transferring funds below the €1.6 million held in his Permanent TSB (PTSB) account in Ennis.

Man denies fraud

She alleges that while she was waiting for him to join her in Spain last October he transferred US$2 million from a US account to the Irish account and stopped returning her calls.

The High Court has heard Mr. Queally - a man in his 40s - denies fraud or ever being engaged to the 60-year-old, although he does accept they had a 'personal relationship'.

Today senior counsel for Ms. Rodino - John O'Donnell - told the court that there are separate proceedings in America in which it is alleged he deceived her of properties she owned.

He said Mr. Queally maintains that he had blanket authorisation to remove any sum of money he saw fit but that this was a ruse to allow him help himself to monies when Elisa Rodino's back was turned.

Mr. O'Donnell informed Mr. Justice Patrick McCarthy that the case may require a full hearing with evidence from both parties.

The case has been put back until next Tuesday when a trial date may be fixed.

In the meantime, the freezing orders on the Ennis bank account remain in force.