Quinlan, a former tax inspector with the Revenue Commissioners, signed contracts for the "ve-storey home in October.

A city filing last week revealed that Quinlan is now the sole owner of the plush Manhattan townhouse at 20 East 64th Street, featuring a sweeping marble staircase, two terraces, gym, massage room, office and staff quarters.

His company, Quinlan Private, has also paid 16.7m ($20m) to acquire another townhouse on the same street for use as its US headquarters.

Other residents on the street include Ivana Trump and billionaire Edgar Bronfman Snr, former boss of the Seagram drinks group now owned by Diageo.

20 East 64th Street was the second dearest townhouse sold in New York last year.

The dearest, on the same street, formerly owned by murdered designer Gianni Versace, was sold by his family in September for 25m ($30m).