Villa accused asset order changed

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A Northern Ireland man detained in Turkey while an alleged property scam is investigated, has had a court order freezing his assets modified.

Up to 70 couples have claimed they have been cheated, and are believed to have paid out more than £2.5m.

Lawyers for Kevin O'Kane, of Bellaghy, applied to the High Court to have the order varied, to let the O'Kane fuel business continue operating.

Outside the court, his lawyer said he was "more sinned against than sinning".

Solicitor Joe Rice, accompanied by Mr O'Kane's two sons, said: "No one has lost more in this affair than my client in terms of money - over £300,000 and reputation - not to mention his good-standing in the south Derry community."

He produced a copy of a letter from the Irish Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which said Mr O'Kane, 48, had not been arrested.

But it said the Public Prosecutor had obtained a court order preventing him from leaving the country until investigations were concluded in respect of him and two Turkish partners.

Mr Rice said that it was "unclear" how long that will take.

Mr O'Kane's family has claimed that he was just one of the many victims of a fraud.

Mr Justice Deeny gave defence lawyers four weeks to file replying affidavits.