Irish screen legend Maureen O’Hara has filed court papers against her lawyer in New York as part of an ongoing dispute over her financial affairs.
‘The Quiet Man’ star is accusing her attorney, Howard Gibbs, of failing to turn over files regarding her finances and estate holdings.
The 92-year-old has filed documents at the Manhattan Supreme Court demanding he surrender the sensitive information, according to the New York Daily News.
The Irish actress had been living in Ireland for eight years but she moved to Boise, Idaho at the end of 2012 to be close to her only grandson, Conor FitzSimons, whom she raised for much of his life.
Last May family members expressed concern that the Hollywood screen legend was being ill treated by her personal assistant Carolyn Murphy, who had power of attorney over O’Hara.
Last July O’Hara almost broke down in tears when she spoke at a press conference in a hotel near her West Cork home of Glengarriff, as her legal team confirmed Murphy no longer worked for her.
The damning statement from Maureen O’Hara, issued for public release at the conference, read:
“Recent situations, both in my personal life and the Maureen O’Hara Foundation have been the source of various rumors and false information. I therefore requested this press release to set the record straight.
“I trusted Carolyn Murphy, not only as my personal assistant, but also as my power of attorney for the past six years. I have recently made discoveries that give me grave concern regarding
Carolyn Murphy’s handling of my affairs. I am astonished that she ignores pleas to provide the information we need to reconcile financial and personal property audits regarding those years.
“I recently revoked all aspects of the power of attorney, which I had formerly entrusted to Carolyn, and she is no longer my personal assistant. I also underwent testing to certify my own competence in conducting my affairs, and I am assisted by family members, trusted lawyers and accountants.
Later this month, the flame haired beauty who starred opposite John Wayne in “The Quiet Man” is expected to join the John Wayne Birthplace along with her family in Winterset for their annual John Wayne birthday celebration.
O'Hara, who starred with Wayne in "Rio Grande," "The Quiet Man," "The Wings of Eagles," "McLintock!" and "Big Jake," considered Duke her best friend.
The Irish born actor has recorded a personal greeting to the John Wayne Birthplace which will be screened during the John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset on May 26th during the Midwest Premiere of the John Ford–Dreaming the Quiet Man documentary.
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