The wife of missing investment broker, Mr Tony Taylor, intends to return to Ireland to make a sworn statement in relation to legal proceedings brought by the liquidator of the Taylor companies, the High Court was told yesterday.

Mr Justice Shanley adjourned the matter for six weeks when told that Mr Taylor may have been located living in Europe.

It is alleged that more than £2 million of investors' funds are unaccounted for.

Neither Mr Taylor nor his wife, Shirley, who are directors of the insurance brokers' companies have been seen since August, 1996.

In court yesterday, Mr John O'Donnell, for Mr Patrick McSwiney, the official liquidator to Taylor and Associated Finance Services Ltd (TAFS), said they had never been able to serve Mr Taylor with notice of the intended legal action brought by the liquidator.

Mr O'Donnell said he understood inquiries being made at present were at an advanced stage and Mr Taylor may have been located in Europe but not by Mr O'Donnell's clients. The liquidator would liaise with the Garda authorities if they knew where he was to be located.

Mrs Taylor's solicitors had suggested that the matter be adjourned for some weeks. Mrs Taylor had indicated she intended to return to Ireland in order to swear an affidavit of discovery of documents relating to the action.

Mr O'Donnell said the liquidator had been able to serve notice of the proceedings on Mrs Taylor and the Taylors' son but there had never been a response from Mr Taylor of such service.

It appeared Mrs Taylor had been in some distress when she contacted her solicitor on a previous occasion.

Mr Justice Shanley said he would adjourn the matter for six weeks on the basis that there was some movement in the case in relation to Mrs Taylor.