Barkisland (Developments) made a profit of Euro120,963 in the 12 months to 31 May last year, compared with Euro9,556 the previous year. The firm is solely owned by Dunne and his son, Mark.

However, the group figures disguise the fact that only one of Dunne's leisure centres, Carlisle Health and Fitness Club in Kimmage, Dublin 12, made a profit during the year. It made a pre-tax profit of Euro384,262, compared with a loss of Euro25,774 the previous year.

Dunne's flagship, Westpoint Health and Fitness Centre, made a loss of Euro1,241 while Northwood Leisure Centre in Santry, which was opened last year, made a loss of Euro207,493.

Northwood's figures are distorted, however, by the fact that the centre only opened in March 2006 and was only earning revenue for two months at the time the accounts were prepared. The start-up costs of setting up the centre would also have inflated the loss. One of the most controversial figures in Irish business, who has been a prominent figure in the Mahon Tribunal, Dunne has reinvented himself in recent years as a leading entrepreneur.

Last month, he announced plans to open an art gallery in a former sports pavilion in Terenure, Dublin by Christmas. Dunne plans to charge artists a 25% commission on the sale price of their works, which is half that charged by most of the city's leading galleries.