Westlife star's bankruptcy enters final stages

The case regarding Shane Filan's UK bankruptcy moved towards its final stages in Dublin yesterday. Creditors and lenders, including the IBRC and Bank Of Ireland, gathered in the offices of accountants Grant Thornton to appoint a commitee that will overseee attempts to retrieve as much as possible from the singer. This could also include investigating ways to get a share of the Sligo man's future income.

Filan's debts stem from the collapse of the Irish property development business he owned with his brother Finbarr. He declared himself bankrupt in Britain last June, as the penalty is far less severe than in Ireland, where bankruptcy lasts 12 years rather than 12 months.

When the case arose just before Westlife's farewell shows, Filan issued a statement where he vowed to "rebuild" his financial standing.